Catastrophe unfolding in Gaza

Israeli authorities disregard global cautions, giving the green light to a potentially escalating initiative within Gaza, potentially worsening the conditions there.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 1 . 7:16 PM

2 min read

Catastrophe unfolding in Gaza

The Israeli military operation in Gaza has escalated, with the Israeli army chief, Eyal Samir, approving its expansion. This move has resulted in widespread destruction and heavy civilian casualties, including many children and entire families, as the focus shifts towards taking full control of Gaza City.

The Middle East has been in a state of emergency for 677 days as of August 14, and the ongoing operation in Gaza is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation. The Israeli military's intensified offensive has forced Palestinians to flee Gaza City districts, targeting Hamas strongholds. However, the progress in dismantling these strongholds remains subject to ongoing military engagements and is not fully detailed in current reports.

The human toll of this escalation is significant. At least 87 Palestinians have been killed, including 25 children, from attacks on residential buildings in Gaza City alone since early August. The destruction of shelters for internally displaced persons, including tents and schools, has caused at least 14 deaths. Hundreds of families have been displaced, with no safe locations remaining within the region. The worsening humanitarian conditions have prompted urgent calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and sustained aid delivery to prevent a full-scale famine.

The Israeli government has rejected international concerns about potential famine, despite the worsening conditions. The objective of the Israeli military, as stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu, remains to demilitarize Gaza, not to occupy it. The Israeli security cabinet has instructed the army to dismantle the remaining Hamas strongholds in the city of Gaza and the refugee camps in Al-Mawasi.

The news of the expansion of the military operation in Gaza has been met with warnings from Western partners about the potential for increased suffering among the civilian population in Gaza. A joint statement signed by EU diplomats and the foreign ministers of 26 countries states that the humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable proportions. The statement urges all parties to protect civilians and allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

UNICEF reports that the death rate due to malnutrition in Gaza has skyrocketed in July, with one in three residents going without food for several days. Over 500,000 people in Gaza are suffering from famine-like conditions, while the rest of the population is facing emergency-level hunger. The international community has called for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.

The Israeli military entered Gaza in response to a perfidious attack by Hamas. However, the ongoing operation has led to a complex and dangerous situation, with several hostages still in the hands of Hamas. The operation is ongoing with significant military and humanitarian consequences, and its outcome remains uncertain.