The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 18,787 civilians, including at least 5,300 children, and the destruction of 262,000 homes. Basic things like fuel, food, water, and medicine are running out, making life even harder for the people in Gaza.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the complexities of the situation, shedding light on the multifaceted issues stemming from this conflict, how it arose and what is happening currently.
What is Gaza?
Gaza is a Palestinian territory located along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It's home to a diverse population with a rich cultural heritage and has been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.
Despite its small area, Gaza hosts a population exceeding two million, including Pelastinians deeply rooted in the land for generations and refugees displaced by previous Israeli conflicts.
People there face significant challenges due to strict limitations imposed on the region. These restrictions include:
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Stringent Israeli blockade: controlling the movement of people, goods, and resources in and out of Gaza, leading to economic hardships and limited access to essential supplies.
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Control of borders and checkpoints: further exacerbates the daily struggles of Gazans, restricting travel, and impeding access to vital services like healthcare and education.
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Infrastructure: rather than a self governing territory or state, Israel have full occupation of key infrastructure lines such as water, electricity, fuel and food.
Did you know: Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank are prohibited from collecting rainwater for any purpose, as Israel has controlled its collection since 1967, enforcing laws that criminalize this practice and frequently destroying rainwater harvesting cisterns owned by Palestinian communities.
The situation before the recent conflict
The situation in Gaza before the recent conflict was characterised by a long-standing and complex history of violence, political issues, a humanitarian crisis, and an ongoing blockade by Israel for years, resulting in critical shortages of vital resources such as fuel, water, electricity, food, and medical supplies. Leading to malnutrition, limited healthcare access, and widespread displacement.
Adding the unresolved political issues such as Jerusalem's status and the challenges faced by Palestinian refugees, fostered an environment of increased volatility and ongoing uncertainty. These long standing complexities, coupled with an existing humanitarian crisis, set the stage for the recent conflict, worsening the plight of Gaza's population already grappling with dire circumstances.
The breakout October 7th
On October 7th, a series of significant events occurred in the conflict due to several factors:
- The Israeli government has carried out mass imprisonment of Palestinians, with over 750,000 Palestinians having been arrested since 1967.
- The Great March of Return, a series of protests that began in 2018, aimed to demand the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to their ancestral homes in Israel
- The ongoing military occupation and blockade and the dire economic situation.
On that day, Palestinians launched a multifaceted attack, including a rocket barrage of approximately 3,000 rockets directed at Israel. There were also vehicle-transported and powered paraglider incursions into Israeli territory. Hamas fighters breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, resulting in casualties and the taking of hostages, intensifying the ongoing conflict.
What happened next ?
1. Shut down of infrastructure
Israel implemented measures resulting in the shutdown of Gaza's infrastructure, notably affecting telecommunications. Fuel blockades and deliberate damage to core communication systems disrupted generators and communication networks. These actions led to a significant 80% decrease in internet traffic across Gaza in October 2023.
The shutdown of telecommunications had severe repercussions, impeding humanitarian aid coordination, hindering life-saving assistance, and causing economic strain. Additionally, the lack of fuel, water, wheat flour, and structural damage exacerbated Gaza's dire conditions, eliciting criticism for rights violations and undermining humanitarian efforts.
Source: Access Now
2. Mass Displacement in Gaza
The Israeli military issued an unprecedented evacuation order for 1.1 million people in northern Gaza, instructing them to move south. This mass displacement was in anticipation of an expected ground invasion, with Israeli officials indicating that the goal of the invasion was to destroy Hamas infrastructure and eliminate its military capabilities. The evacuation order led to a significant exodus of Palestinians from their homes, with many facing uncertainty about the future and the safety of their residences.
3.The siege of Al Shifa hospital
The siege began after Israel's military accused Hamas of using the hospital as a headquarters for its military operations. The hospital, which is Gaza's largest medical facility, was surrounded by Israeli forces, and several projectiles landed inside the hospital complex, causing panic among patients and staff. The siege lasted for several days, with Israeli tanks and masked soldiers entering the hospital complex and searching its rooms and basement.
The siege had a significant impact on the hospital's ability to provide medical care to patients, including the elderly and people with disabilities. The hospital was forced to operate without electricity, as its emergency generator ran out of fuel, leading to the deaths of 40 patients, including three babies. The siege also caused a shortage of medical supplies and equipment, making it difficult for doctors and nurses to provide adequate care to patients.
Did you know Of the 32 hospitals in Gaza, 20 have been destroyed by Israel bombing as of October 18, 2023.
4. Bombing of the Rafah border
Following those events, the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing faced bombardments, resulting in significant damage to essential infrastructure, roads, and buildings requiring immediate repair. The Rafah crossing, crucial for aid delivery, experienced disruption as Israel's actions obstructed the transportation of numerous tons of aid from NGOs and various countries, prompting accusations of deliberate obstruction of aid delivery by Egypt against Israel.
Did you know: Before the conflict, Gaza was receiving 100 trucks of aid a day, and that was reduced to less than 20.
Four-Day Truce (24/11 - 28-11)
A four-day truce began on November 24, 2023, after intense negotiations. The truce was initially announced for 72 hours but was extended twice, with the final extension lasting four days . During the truce, at least 50 Israeli captives were expected to be freed, leaving an estimated 190 captives in Gaza. In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners were expected to be released. The truce allowed for a temporary cessation of hostilities, but both sides made clear that the pause would be temporary, and the fighting would resume as soon as the truce ended.
Did you know: In the west bank there are over 3000 prisoners who haven't been charged at all!
Attack on Khan Younis
The recent intense bombardment and ground assault on Khan Younis, a pivotal city in Gaza, was subjected to these actions, as Israel accused it of association with individuals linked to the earlier incident, stating strategic reasons for targeting Khan Younis. This overwhelming assault resulted in numerous casualties and substantial displacement of its residents. Israel's military campaign aimed to root out Hamas leaders and fighters, exacerbating an existing humanitarian crisis. The relentless attacks severely strained local infrastructure and medical facilities, leaving a large number of wounded Palestinians requiring urgent medical care.
The simultaneous attack of the North and South has led to a further displacement of Palestinians into an increasingly narrow section of the open-air prison that is the Gaza strip.
The UN resolutions
The United Nations General Assembly has passed a nonbinding, symbolic resolution to demand an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, with 153 countries voting in favor and 10 abstaining. The resolution is not legally binding on nations but carries political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The UN General Assembly's call for a ceasefire comes in the wake of intense fighting and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
The resolution aims to address the dire humanitarian situation and the need to protect civilians in the conflict zone. Despite the non binding nature of the resolution, it represents a significant international stance on the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities.
The impact on Gaza
1. Civilians are being killed
Over 18,787 people, including 5,300 children, have died in a month of constant bombings. Around 2,350 individuals, including 1,300 children, are missing and might be trapped under collapsed buildings. Most of those hurt or killed are women and children, with over 25,000 people injured.
Families are torn apart, communities grieve, and life is incredibly tough. The ongoing fear of more fighting not only disrupts daily life but also inflicts immense suffering, affecting countless innocent lives far beyond the conflict zone.
2. Homes are being destroyed
Approximately 262,000 housing units, accounting for 42% of all homes in the Gaza Strip, have been either destroyed or damaged. Families lost their homes, leaving them with nowhere to live or in houses that were badly broken.
This destruction caused a lot of chaos in communities, making many people homeless and facing the tough job of starting over in the midst of all this damage.
3. Vital Spaces Under Fire
Schools, hospitals, and mosques have become tragic casualties in the ongoing conflict, subjected to relentless bombings. The impact is dire, with more than half of Gaza's education facilities having been struck by attacks, leaving approximately 625,000 students without access to education.
4. Running Out of Necessities
The shortage of crucial supplies like fuel, food, and water is creating immense challenges for the people in Gaza. The lack of fuel has led to a complete blackout, halting food creation processes, exacerbating the situation as many bakeries were either bombed or forced to close.
People now wait 4-6 hours just to get half the usual amount of bread, and there's not even enough water for everyone.
5. Increased risk of disease
The health risks faced by civilians have escalated significantly. The destruction of essential infrastructure and limited access to safe water sources have intensified the vulnerabilities of the population.
Consuming water from unsafe or contaminated sources and the lack of proper nutrition, coupled with the destruction of hospitals, have compounded the health crisis, leaving many at heightened risk of diseases and health complications.
6. Financial Fallout
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has significantly harmed the region's economy. The destruction of businesses and infrastructure has resulted in widespread job losses and financial strain for many residents.
This chaos has caused a decline in economic activity, making it hard for Gaza to rebuild its economy. Disrupted trade and commerce pose challenges to the region's recovery, raising concerns about how long it might take for Gaza's economy to recover from the aftermath of the conflict.
How can we take action to help bring change?
In times like these, every bit of help counts. Your contribution can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected in Gaza:
1. Donate to charities
Contributing to reputable organizations such as Human Appeal, Muslim Hands, Save the Children UK, and Islamic Relief UK provides direct aid to Gaza's affected population. Donations are channeled towards providing essential resources, including food, medical aid, and infrastructure support.
2. Spread Awareness
Share info about Gaza's situation on social media, take part in protests, marches, rallies, and vigils, all are powerful ways to publicly demonstrate solidarity with Gaza.
Did you know: The largest pro-Palestinian rally in London so far was held on November 25, 2023, with an estimated turnout of 300,000 people calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
3. Offer Prayers and Moral Support
In times of hardship, extending prayers, dua, and moral support to the people of Gaza holds immense significance. Expressing solidarity, empathy, and offering compassionate messages serves as a source of comfort and strength.
4. Stay Informed and Engaged
Remaining informed about Gaza's situation through credible news sources and active engagement empowers individuals to understand and support the cause effectively. Following reputable news outlets such as: Al Jazeera, The New Arab, and The Palestine Chronicle offers reliable updates. Actively participating in discussions, forums, or educational events focusing on Gaza provides a deeper understanding of the complexities involved, empowering informed actions towards positive change.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza demands our immediate attention and support. The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering and devastation for the people there. It's crucial for all of us—individuals, organizations, and nations—to come together and lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Gaza.
Buying at Riwaya
As we stand together in solidarity with the affected individuals and communities in Gaza, Riwaya offers an avenue for support through conscious buying. By choosing to shop at Riwaya, you contribute directly to the Palestinian community's economic stability and growth. Explore a diverse range of products from Palestinian sellers on our platform. Your purchases not only provide economic support but also amplify the voices of these businesses, fostering resilience and empowerment during these challenging times.
Selling at Riwaya
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