The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken a dire turn, with Gaza City bearing the brunt of the violence occasioned in recent times by Israeli air strikes.
Recent Israeli air strikes have targeted a UN school sheltering displaced Palestinians, as well as a multi-story residential building, which was bombed and destroyed. These attacks are part of a larger wave of violence that has left much of Gaza City in ruins.
According to reports, over 1.3 million Palestinians, including 350,000 children, remain in Gaza City and the north, despite Israel’s relentless air strikes, bombardments and forced evacuation orders.
The situation on the ground is dire, with many neighborhoods facing near-total destruction. In Gaza City’s Zeitoun area alone, more than 1,500 homes and buildings have been destroyed through air strikes and other means of assaults since early August, leaving parts of the district with no buildings left standing.
The Palestinian Civil Defence has reported that at least 50 multistory buildings have been destroyed in recent weeks as Israeli forces press their assault on the city.
The attacks have resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 64,756 people killed and 164,059 wounded since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be under the rubble.
Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the situation as “nothing short of terror”.
“People were forced out of their homes after the Israeli army issued threats, giving them just a few minutes to get out of buildings marked as targets.
People rushed onto the streets with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, looking for shelter. And there is no safe place for them to go,” he said.
The international community has been grappling with the implications of the conflict, with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani meeting with United States President Donald Trump in New York.
The UN General Assembly has also overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for a two-state solution, with 142 votes in favor and 10 against.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army and settlers have continued their attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, killing at least 1,038 people, including 212 children, and wounding more than 9,977 Palestinians.
At least 19,000 Palestinians have been arrested, and currently, 11,040 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, 3,577 of whom are detained without charges.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has deep-rooted historical, religious, and cultural dimensions. Understanding the historical context is crucial in grasping the complexities of the situation.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a longstanding dispute over land, identity, and self-determination, with both sides having legitimate concerns and grievances.
The situation in Gaza City and the occupied West Bank raises serious human rights concerns.
Many experts argue that Israel’s actions in Gaza City may violate international humanitarian law, which regulates the conduct of war and armed conflict.
The forced displacement of Palestinians, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the detention of Palestinians without charges are all issues that need to be addressed by the international community.
Palestinians have become objects of daily molestations and humiliations by Israeli troops in a show of dominance and the streets of Palestine have welcomed incessant bombardments on daily basis.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in a dire situation in Gaza City, with the Israeli bombardments causing widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis.
Israel has recently launched air strikes on Qatar who was believed to be meeting with Hamas officials on the US backed ceasefire proposal presented to it. The air strikes have also been condemned by international leaders including the US.
The international community must take action to address the human rights concerns and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.