Gaza faces a dire humanitarian crisis and escalating violence as Israel issues forced displacement orders in parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis. The Israeli military is preparing for a scenario involving a complete reconquest of Palestinian land. This announcement is against the backdrop of recent encouraging developments. Over the last 24 hours alone, at least 135 Palestinians have been killed by continued Israeli bombardment. This tragic cost claims the lives of at least 87 of those just trying to get food, while another 771 people have been injured.
Unfortunately, as if this first story weren’t sad enough, Gaza’s health ministry has recently announced that five more people have died of starvation. Israel’s total siege on humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza earlier this year led to this deadly outcome. Because of this, the region has entered into a hunger crisis like never seen before. The impact of this blockade has been catastrophic, with many families now unable to source even the most basic essentials.
Gaza’s civil defense agency declared a civil defense catastrophe. One aid truck had reportedly struck and killed 20 people in a civilian crowd. This attack happened in Nuseirat refugee camp along a road already bombed by Israeli forces. Witnesses characterized it as a chaotic scene, as thousands of people flocked to get help that is still in extremely limited supply during acute shortages.
Most civilians have recently resettled into Gaza City after being displaced internally for an extended period of time. What they found was their homes ravaged by war and thoroughly looted. News reports suggest that people have even ripped out doors and windows, leaving those properties even more vulnerable. Aid trucks are having to fight their way into Gaza, and when they do, desperate civilians often mob and ransack them. This chaos is indicative of the increasing overall disarray in the region.
Jordan has previously voiced its concerns about Israel’s conduct, charging it has not done enough to stop repeated attacks on humanitarian convoys. Just yesterday, one of the largest aid convoys—30 trucks—set out to Gaza. It was then reportedly attacked by militant Jewish settlers as it crossed into Israel. Jordanian officials underscored that serious Israeli action is vital for the safe and effective passage of humanitarian aid.
Amid these mounting tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from various quarters regarding his government’s objectives in Gaza. Former Shin Bet head, Yoram Cohen called these goals “a dream.” Similarly, Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, voiced his disapproval of the plans, stating, “I told Netanyahu that occupying Gaza is a very bad idea.” Lapid made clear that such a move is unrealistic without broad public support.
The Israeli security cabinet is due to meet on Thursday evening. They will warn against proposals for a broader military escalation in Gaza. This meeting takes place even as we’ve previously reported on serious misgivings from four-star military officers. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly yelled at Netanyahu over these matters in a heated confrontation between security chiefs and the prime minister. He warned about the implications of the proposed operation. Zamir cautioned that the plan risks encircling military troops within Gaza. He noted that the Israeli military is already stretched thin resources.
“Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned … while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid.” – Mahmoud Bassal
In response to the crisis, Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, asserted the importance of executing decisions made by the political echelon, stating, “As the defense minister responsible for the [army] on behalf of the government, I must ensure that these decisions are carried out and so it will be.” Katz underlined, though, that it is very much in the chief of staff’s job description to state his — or her — case in such forums.
Now, as the humanitarian situation further catastrophically deteriorates in Gaza, advocates’ calls for immediate ceasefire are similarly intensifying. Mohammad al-Momani, a Jordanian official, stated, “This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys.”