On Thursday, Israel stepped up its bombing of Gaza, including an airstrike on a school that had become a shelter in Gaza City, which sadly killed 15 people who had fled their homes. The Hamas-run Civil Defense group says that the shelter had been home to families who had fled the fighting in other sections of Gaza. The Israeli army, on the other hand, said that the target was a major Hamas operator in the area. This airstrike is just one of many that have killed civilians since the violence started.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli strikes had killed a total of 118 individuals in the last 24 hours. As the battle goes on, civilian deaths are still a big worry, and shelters and places where relief is given out are often attacked. Five more individuals who had to leave their homes were killed when another tent was hit in southern Gaza, in addition to the school bombing.
What Are the Concerns for People?
The continued bombardment has made an already bad humanitarian crisis even worse. Thousands of people who have had to leave their homes are looking for shelter, but many of these shelters have become less safe because of the bombing. Wafaa al-Arqan, who saw the wreckage at the school shelter in Gaza City, told a tragic story. “We saw the tent falling on us and a fire burning,” she claimed. “What can we do?” Is it fair that all these kids died in a fire?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have always disputed that the attacks are aimed at civilians, saying instead that they are aimed at Hamas fighters and their infrastructure. But others still say that Israel isn’t doing enough to protect civilians. The IDF says they have taken steps to protect civilians, but the violence is so widespread that more and more countries are condemning it. Here is the link to our article on Trump’s Iran Dilemma
What are Israel and Hamas doing in response to calls for a ceasefire?
As both sides come under more and more pressure to agree to a truce, diplomatic efforts to end the fighting continue. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, said recently that Israel has agreed to the terms for a 60-day truce, but there are still big problems that need to be worked out before a definitive deal can be made. Hamas is looking over the specifics of the ceasefire agreement, which is not yet final. Hamas has made it clear that it wants the war to end and for Israel to leave Gaza.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants to get rid of Hamas, even as the world is putting more and more pressure on him to end the war. The Israeli government has said that it will keep targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure until it reaches its aims, even though more and more civilians are dying.
What do international aid groups do?
As the violence gets worse, international relief groups’ jobs in Gaza are becoming more and more important. The US and Israel support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has been giving food and other help to people. However, its actions have come under fire. There have been reports of violence and wrongdoing by security contractors working with the GHF. One former contractor said he saw his coworkers shoot at people who were waiting for help.
The UN and other humanitarian groups have cut ties with the GHF because they are worried about its practices and the possibility of human rights breaches. The GHF says that assistance distribution has gone smoothly, nevertheless, and that the security measures are needed to keep Hamas from taking humanitarian supplies. Here is the link to our article on Save Children First
What effect does the war have on the people of Gaza?
The continuing conflict is having a terrible effect on the people of Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza said that since the fighting started in October 2023, at least 57,130 people have died. The violence has forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, and many of them can’t get basic needs like food, water, and medical treatment.
The situation is worse because airstrikes have hit or disabled several humanitarian aid convoys and facilities, leaving a lot of people without help. The world has asked for a truce and more safety for civilians, but so far, neither Israel nor Hamas has been ready to budge on their demands.
Final Thoughts: What will happen in the future for Gaza?
The violence in Gaza is making things worse for the people who live there, with more and more people being killed and forced to leave their homes. Even if the world has asked for a truce and the release of hostages, the problem is still not solved. Both Israel and Hamas are still working toward their goals, even though the cost in lives is rising.
The war in Gaza has been going on for a month now and shows no signs of stopping. It is still not certain how long the bloodshed will last or if a real peace deal can be struck, even though diplomatic attempts are still going on. The damage to the civilian population is already very serious, and the future of the area depends on both sides being willing to talk.