In a tragic development, stray dogs in Gaza have been found scavenging the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, according to a report by CNN on Wednesday. Fares Afana, the head of emergency services in northern Gaza, shared that his team had recovered bodies that had been partially eaten by animals, complicating efforts to identify the deceased.
“Stray dogs who are hungry are eating these bodies in the street… It makes it difficult for us to identify the bodies,” Afana said. He further explained that the intense air and ground assaults in northern Gaza and Jabalia have left the streets in devastation, with no safe space for civilians or signs of life.
Intensified Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated on October 7 last year when Hamas launched an attack on Israeli towns, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In retaliation, Israel initiated a widespread military campaign, which has since resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The number of injured has reached nearly 100,000.
Afana revealed that the worsening humanitarian situation is becoming unbearable for residents. On Monday, Israeli forces allegedly fired on residents seeking food at a UN aid warehouse. “What is happening in northern Gaza is a real genocide,” he stated.
UNRWA Warns of Famine Threat in Gaza
Philippe Lazzarini, chief of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has warned of a looming famine in Gaza as Israeli strikes continue to intensify. Speaking at a press conference, Lazzarini said there is a “real risk” that Gaza’s population could face famine or severe malnutrition, particularly as winter approaches and food supplies remain scarce.
He called for urgent action to allow convoys of food and essential supplies into the besieged territory, stating that a hunger crisis could still be averted if humanitarian aid is permitted entry. Lazzarini emphasized that Gaza has now become “a wasteland” and is nearing the point of becoming “unliveable.”