On September 22, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including Majed Saleh, a Hamas-run ministry director. The incident occurred at Kafr Qasem School in Beach camp, which was being used to shelter displaced families.
The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at militants operating from the compound. However, Hamas has consistently denied using civilian buildings for military purposes throughout the nearly year-long conflict. This event highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, which have persisted for over seven decades.
The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated areas globally, has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007. This has severely limited access to essential resources such as clean water and electricity. The current conflict has exacerbated these challenges, with the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents now displaced.
Concurrent with the Gaza operations, there has been an increase in military activity along the Israel-Lebanon border involving Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. This escalation has raised concerns about potential wider regional unrest.
In Rafah, near the Egyptian border, Israeli forces have advanced towards the western parts of the city. The control of this southern border area has been a significant point of contention in international efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The Rafah Border Crossing, the only crossing point between Egypt and Gaza, has become increasingly crucial for humanitarian aid and civilian movement.
"All services in all hospitals could halt in 10 days because of the shortages in essential spare parts, and oil needed to operate the fuel-powered generators."
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Heavy rains have flooded displacement camps, causing further distress to those already living in precarious conditions. Juliette Touma, Director of Communications of UNRWA, emphasized the urgent need for more shelters and supplies to help people cope with the approaching winter.
The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military response has led to over 41,300 Palestinian casualties, according to local health authorities.
As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has been a source of tension in the region since the establishment of Israel in 1948. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis underscore the urgent need for a sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.