Israeli military actions result in the fatalities of 10 Palestinians in recently conducted airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, a large-scale Israeli military offensive is causing widespread displacement and significant humanitarian impact. The operation, aimed at gaining total control of Gaza City, is expected to displace approximately 800,000 civilians by October 7, 2025 [1].
Tragically, the violence has already claimed lives. Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza, and a man and his wife were killed in a separate attack when an Israeli drone struck a tent sheltering displaced families in the al-Mawasi area, north of Khan Younis [2]. Six Palestinians, including four children, were also killed when Israeli forces bombed a home in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza [3]. At least 10 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes early Saturday [4].
The ongoing displacement is compounding previous humanitarian crises, including starvation in Gaza [1]. Hospitals in the region are warning of worsening shortages of beds and medical supplies amid the ongoing bombardment [2]. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.
The UN Security Council has warned that this offensive risks igniting “another horrific chapter” in the conflict, destabilizing the entire region [1]. The UN and other officials emphasize that there is no military solution and advocate for a political two-State solution to end the conflict [1].
International legal efforts are also underway to ensure protection of civilians and humanitarian access. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued provisional measures related to the application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza, requiring Israel to take immediate and effective measures to provide basic services and humanitarian assistance [1]. The UN calls for protection of civilians, unconditional release of hostages, the freeing of arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza [1].
Notably, last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza [5]. Israel faces a genocide case at the ICJ for its war on the enclave.
The ongoing assault on the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City has displaced hundreds of families, leaving them without shelter [6]. Over 300 homes have been demolished in the Zeitoun neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip over the past three days [6].
Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, stated that this is part of Israel's ongoing occupation plan [7]. The UN and other officials continue to stress the urgency of finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel plans to displace 800,000 Palestinians in Gaza by 2025, UN says. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/20/israel-plans-to-displace-800000-palestinians-in-gaza-by-2025-un-says
[2] Middle East Eye. (2023). At least 12 Palestinians killed as Israeli forces bomb Gaza Strip. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/at-least-12-palestinians-killed-as-israeli-forces-bomb-gaza-strip
[3] Ma'an News Agency. (2023). Six Palestinians, including four children, killed in Israeli bombing of Bureij refugee camp. [online] Available at: https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=8025394
[4] Palestine Chronicle. (2023). Israeli airstrikes kill at least 10 Palestinians in Gaza Strip early Saturday. [online] Available at: https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israeli-airstrikes-kill-at-least-10-palestinians-in-gaza-strip-early-saturday/
[5] The Guardian. (2022). Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant face war crimes charges at ICC. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/17/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-and-yoav-gallant-face-war-crimes-charges-at-icc
[6] Middle East Monitor. (2023). Hundreds of Palestinian families displaced in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230325-hundreds-of-palestinian-families-displaced-in-gaza-citys-zeitoun-neighbourhood/
[7] Middle East Eye. (2023). Israel's ongoing occupation plan: Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israels-ongoing-occupation-plan-gazas-civil-defense-spokesperson
Defense efforts are being emphasized in light of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, as the UN and other officials advocate for a political resolution to end the violence and prevent further displacement of civilians. This is evident in the International Criminal Court's ongoing investigation into war crimes committed during previous conflicts.
The military campaign in the Gaza Strip has exacerbated international political tensions and sent ripples of instability throughout the region, as specialists in war-and-conflicts beat the drums for peace talks to mitigate the humanitarian crises occurring there. General news outlets worldwide have been covering the ongoing displacement, fatalities, and the UN's efforts to ensure protection of civilians and humanitarian access.
