Expansion of Israel's military operations sparks criticism from various quarters
In the heart of Gaza City, home to nearly a million people, the situation is dire. Over the past few days, the city has been subjected to intense Israeli military operations, including heavy air, land, and sea bombardments targeting Gaza City and surrounding areas.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have approved an extensive ground invasion plan aimed at taking full control of Gaza City and dismantling Hamas operations, leading to massive displacement, destruction, and high casualties among civilians.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating rapidly. Over 86% of the Gaza Strip remains within an Israeli militarized zone, displacement orders, or both, severely restricting movement and access. The population is living in inhumane conditions, seeking shelter in damaged or overcrowded facilities, with no humanitarian aid allowed in for over five months, including vital medicines and supplies.
The consequences of this crisis are stark. Since October 2023, at least 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many children, women, and elderly, with over 154,000 injured. Recent days have seen heavy bombardments causing dozens of deaths daily, including strikes on civilian residences and individuals seeking food or aid.
The use of airdrops as a means of delivering aid has proven deadly. This week, at least two tragic incidents have occurred. A 14-year-old boy was killed by an airdrop pallet, and another boy, aged 17, died from injuries sustained when an aid pallet fell on him.
The confusion and fear among the people of Gaza City are palpable. Mahmoud Abdul Salam Ahmed, a resident of Gaza City, expressed his desperation, saying, "I don't know where to take my family or what to do."
The move towards a full takeover of Gaza City by Israel's cabinet has been met with international condemnation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has flown to Cairo to try to rally help from other Muslim countries to counter the Israeli plans.
Experts warn that starvation is spreading in Gaza, and the only way to prevent full-fledged famine is to flood Gaza with truckloads of aid. However, aid delivery to Gaza is inadequate and convoluted due to Israeli restrictions.
The international community, including UN agencies, is urgently calling to stop the offensive, restore aid access, and seek peaceful resolution to prevent further suffering. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the plan for a complete military takeover as a violation of international law and warned it would cause more forced displacement, killings, and suffering.
The UN, along with other global leaders, is stressing the urgent need for conflict de-escalation, humanitarian access, and a return to peaceful coexistence. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča warned that the Israeli plan could trigger another catastrophic phase with widespread regional consequences, calling for an end to violence and protection of civilians.
In the midst of this crisis, there have been protests in Israel demanding a ceasefire and negotiations for hostage releases. The international community stands united in its call for peace and an end to the suffering in Gaza City.
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) [2] Amnesty International [3] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [4] Reuters News Agency
- The Israeli government's decision to invade Gaza City, aiming to dismantle Hamas operations, has resulted in a surge of general news about war-and-conflicts, with both local and international politics heavily involved in attempts to find a peaceful resolution.
- The United Nations, Amnesty International, and Reuters News Agency have reported on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, expressing concern about the displacement, destruction, and high casualties among civilians, and urging the Israeli government to halt military operations and allow necessary aid to reach the affected population.
