The Israeli army continues to violate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip for the 221st consecutive day since it came into effect on October 10th, through shelling, gunfire, and direct targeting of civilian areas and shelters for displaced persons throughout the Strip.
Local sources reported violations of the ceasefire agreement early Monday morning, May 18th, including heavy gunfire, artillery shelling, and the demolition of civilian buildings and facilities, in addition to targeting populated areas and shelters for displaced persons.
The Israeli army also opened heavy fire in areas east of the Gaza Strip, coinciding with artillery shelling targeting the east and south of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israeli warships fired on the coasts of Rafah and Gaza City, while drones continued to fly over the southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli occupation forces demolished residential buildings in the Tuffah neighborhood, northeast of Gaza City, while simultaneously continuing to fire on the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis, sparking panic among residents and displaced people in nearby areas.
The Gaza Ministry of Health announced in its statistical report that the number of martyrs since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10 has risen to 877, in addition to 2,602 injuries and 776 bodies recovered from various locations.
Thus, the total death toll from the war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,769 martyrs and 172,704 injuries, according to official Palestinian figures, amid a worsening humanitarian and living situation in the besieged territory.
In a related context, the Ministry of Health warned of severe challenges facing medical imaging services in the remaining functioning hospitals in the Gaza Strip, noting that the health system in Gaza lost 76% of its medical imaging equipment during the war.
The Ministry of Health explained in a statement that 24% of the remaining equipment is operating under difficult technical conditions, with increased demand for services and difficulties in conducting routine maintenance and obtaining spare parts.
It noted that MRI services are unavailable in the Gaza Strip after the destruction of nine machines, further complicating diagnostic and treatment procedures for patients and the wounded.
The Ministry also reported that five out of 18 CT scanners are out of service, operating under heavy load and failing to meet the daily demand for diagnostic imaging services.
In a separate statement, the Ministry warned of the critical shortage of medications threatening 225,000 patients with hypertension in the Gaza Strip. It pointed out that the prolonged suspension of routine checkups prevents early detection of the disease and deprives patients of the opportunity to manage their condition before it worsens.
The Ministry reiterated its urgent appeal to all relevant international organizations and institutions to intervene immediately to save the lives of thousands of patients, provide medications, and improve living conditions before it is too late.
