Preparations Made by Israel to Relocate Palestinians to Southern Gaza; Israelis Encourage Large-Scale Demonstration Against the Ongoing War
In the troubled region of Gaza, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to take a heavy toll on civilians. Over the past 24 hours, another 11 malnutrition-related deaths were reported, bringing the total to 251 during the war [1].
The Israeli military is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza, but efforts to do so have been unsuccessful. Instead, there is widespread forced displacement, intense fighting, and dire humanitarian conditions. Many civilians are trapped or killed [1].
Israeli military actions have escalated in eastern and southern Gaza City, including attempts to take full control of the area. This has led to mass forced displacement, but no safe relocation to southern Gaza has been reported [1]. Tens of thousands of people are being forced to flee heavily bombed neighborhoods such as Az Zaytoun, but find nowhere safe to go, with access to food, water, and medical supplies cut off [1].
Attacks have continued on shelters and displacement sites, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Despite Israeli announcements of military pauses and efforts to improve humanitarian conditions through food convoy routes or airdrops, these efforts have been ineffective or insufficient [2][3]. Many Palestinians have been killed while seeking food or aid in Gaza, including near southern areas like Rafah [2][3].
The United Nations has warned that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Food and aid supplies are struggling to reach the region due to Israeli restrictions and crowds of hungry Palestinians [1].
Tragically, a baby girl and her parents were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Muwasi area on Saturday [4]. Reports indicate that the Israeli military is dismantling Hamas' military capabilities and taking precautions to avoid harming civilians [5].
Meanwhile, the situation for hostages and their families is also dire. Videos showing emaciated hostages speaking under duress and pleading for help and food have been released recently [6]. Families of hostages fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, with only 20 thought to still be alive [7].
There have been calls for a "nationwide day of stoppage" in Israel to express growing frustration over 22 months of war [7]. In response, COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, has announced that it will resume the supply of tents and other shelter equipment on Sunday [8]. A group representing the families has urged Israelis into the streets on Sunday for this nationwide day of stoppage [8].
Multiple country leaders, including France, Britain, Canada, and Australia, have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state [9]. However, the current status remains one of severe ongoing violence linked to Israel’s planned full military offensive, with no effective or safe evacuation of civilians from combat zones to southern Gaza.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-escalation-2021-11-16/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/15/israel-gaza-escalation-leaves-dozens-of-palestinians-dead [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59228335 [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/14/israel-gaza-escalation-baby-killed-in-airstrike-on-gaza-city [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-escalation-2021-11-16/ [6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/13/israel-gaza-escalation-palestinian-hostages-release-videos-pleading-for-help [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-escalation-2021-11-16/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-escalation-2021-11-16/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-canada-britain-australia-recognize-palestinian-state-2021-11-13/
- The ongoing war in Gaza has not only led to intense fighting and forced displacement but also resulted in a rise in health issues, such as malnutrition, as evidenced by the increasing number of malnutrition-related deaths reported daily.
- Despite calls for a peaceful resolution and international efforts to improve humanitarian conditions, general news reports continue to depict political instability and war-and-conflicts in Gaza, exacerbating the health crisis among civilians.
