In the early hours of September 14, 2024, Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in central and southern Gaza, resulting in at least 14 fatalities. This latest escalation occurs as the family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist, prepares for her funeral following her death at the hands of an Israeli soldier on September 6.
The Gaza Civil Defense reported that the airstrikes hit a residential building in Gaza City, claiming the lives of 11 individuals, including women and children. Another strike targeted a tent in Khan Younis, where Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict had sought refuge. These incidents follow recent attacks on a tent camp and a United Nations school housing displaced persons earlier in the week.
Eygi's body was returned to her hometown in western Turkey on September 13, escorted by a police honor guard. The 26-year-old activist from Seattle, who held dual U.S. and Turkish citizenship, was killed after participating in a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military stated that Eygi was likely shot "indirectly and unintentionally" by Israeli forces, while Turkey has announced its intention to conduct an independent investigation into her death.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences for the Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated areas globally with approximately 5,700 people per square kilometer. The region has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, exacerbating its economic challenges and reliance on foreign aid.
"We condemn the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi and call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death."
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar continue to push for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, but negotiations have repeatedly stalled due to conflicting demands from both sides. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement of approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 41,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the war's onset, with women and children accounting for more than half of the casualties. Israel reports eliminating more than 17,000 militants during the conflict.
The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, efforts like the Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, have yet to be fully implemented. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to address the root causes of the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of recent airstrikes and prepares for Eygi's funeral, the international community remains focused on finding a path towards lasting peace and stability in this troubled region.