What is the Impact of the Conflict on Civilians in Gaza? – All In One Guide

As of January 23, 2024, the latest news from Palestine includes the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with Israel expanding operations and pounding the southern city of Khan Younis. Thousands of Palestinians have fled the area due to the fighting. A Palestinian journalist and photographer, Motaz Azaiza, who has been reporting on the conflict, has left Gaza for Qatar due to safety concerns. 

In addition, there are reports of people in Gaza using animal feed for food, and a UN expert warns that a famine could already be happening. An Israeli soldier killed a 17-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank. An Israeli NGO reports that hundreds of historical archaeological sites have been destroyed in Gaza.

Latest News Palestine in 2024

Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, which began on May 10, 2021, has intensified in the past week, resulting in heavy bombardment in the southern city of Khan Younis. This offensive has not only displaced thousands of Palestinians but also resulted in significant casualties and destruction. 

According to Palestinian Health Ministry reports, more than 25,400 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, and thousands more are missing and presumed dead. The conflict has pushed Gaza’s health system to near collapse, causing a cascade of preventable deaths and permanent injuries. 

Moreover, at least half a million people in Gaza are now facing “catastrophic hunger” due to the war. In light of this ongoing crisis, a Palestinian journalist and photographer, Motaz Azaiza, has left Gaza for Qatar, citing safety concerns.

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Israel’s Bombing of Khan Younis:

Israeli forces have heavily targeted the southern city of Khan Younis during their invasion of Gaza. The town, located just miles from the Israel-Gaza border, has faced relentless airstrikes, resulting in widespread damage and loss of life. 

And, the bombardment has forced thousands of Palestinians to flee even further south, seeking refuge and safety in neighboring towns and refugee camps. The intensity of the airstrikes has left entire neighborhoods in ruins, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.

Casualties and Destruction in Gaza:

The devastating toll of the conflict on the Gaza Strip is immense. According to Palestinian Health Ministry reports the death toll has risen to more than 25,400 people, including hundreds of children. 

Moreover, the relentless airstrikes and shelling have caused countless injuries and left thousands more in need of urgent medical attention. The health system in Gaza, already strained by the blockade and years of conflict, is struggling to cope with the overwhelming demand for medical services.

Israel’s Ground Invasion:

In addition to the aerial bombardment, Israel has launched its ground invasion into the Gaza Strip. This offensive has resulted in the death or injury of at least 210 soldiers, further escalating the death toll on both sides. The fighting on the ground has further terrorized the civilian population, forcing thousands more to flee their homes and seek safety in crowded emergency shelters.

Catastrophic Hunger in Gaza:

The conflict in Gaza has not only resulted in loss of life but also severe economic devastation. The blockade imposed by Israel since 2007 has devastated Gaza’s economy, leaving more than half a million people facing “catastrophic hunger.” 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that the situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with families struggling to meet their basic needs and find adequate food. The ongoing violence and lack of access to food further exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

Motaz Azaiza’s Decision to Leave Gaza:

Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian journalist and photographer, has been bravely reporting on the conflict in Gaza, documenting the devastating impact and human suffering caused by the war. However, due to safety concerns, Azaiza made the difficult decision to leave Gaza and seek refuge in Qatar. Azaiza’s decision highlights the risks journalists face in Gaza, particularly those trying to provide accurate and timely information to the outside world.

Conclusion

Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, particularly its bombardment of Khan Younis and the resulting displacement, casualties, and destruction, has brought immense suffering and humanitarian crisis to the Palestinian people. The conflict has pushed Gaza’s health system to the brink of collapse, causing a cascade of preventable deaths and permanent injuries. 

Moreover, more than half a million people in Gaza are now facing “catastrophic hunger,” further increasing the vulnerability of the civilian population. 

The ongoing violence and insecurity have forced Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian journalist and photographer, to leave Gaza and seek refuge in Qatar. As the conflict continues, the international community must pressure Israel to end its offensive and help alleviate the dire situation faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

What is the Impact of the Conflict on Civilians in Gaza?

There is a severe impact of the conflict on civilians in Gaza, with the effect being disproportionately felt by women and children. The armed conflict has destroyed infrastructures, the loss of lives, and the unraveling of the social fabric of Gaza as well.

There were 17,177 deaths estimated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, with more than half of them being women and children. Survivors are also left responsible for providing their families with food, water, medical care, and shelter. With around one million Palestinians in Gaza facing acute food insecurity due to the blockade, Gaza’s economy has been devastated, widespread destruction has occurred, and most people are cut off from the outside world.

Starvation is considered a war crime by the international community in the occupied Gaza Strip, where Israel has been accused of using starvation as a military tactic. Gaza’s population, which has been under an unlawful closure for 16 years, is almost entirely dependent on Israel for essential commodities such as fuel, electricity, medicine, and food.

There have been profound hardships in securing necessities for the civilian population in Gaza as a result of the conflict, including food, electricity, and water, as a result of the conflict. The situation in Gaza is dire, with a significant humanitarian impact on the civilian population, in particular women and children.

Food insecurity, lack of access to essential services, and destruction of infrastructure have resulted from the conflict and the blockade, which have led to widespread suffering in the region. Civilians in Gaza continue to suffer from the humanitarian crisis as the international community calls for measures to alleviate their suffering.