Civilians face an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Conflict drivers
The Health Ministry reports that acute violence has caused over 68,000 deaths on the Palestinian side in the present conflict. The recent developments have further raised alarm about the delicate ceasefire pact brokered by the US and other international guarantor countries. For the first time ever, the US State Department has recently accepted these credible reports.
Writing by Andrea Germanos
These accounts and testimonies are a harbinger of an impending catastrophe by Hamas on Gaza’s Palestinians. Such an assault would further worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the region. It would, in addition, break the spirit of the ceasefire’s terms.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s sole exit to Egypt, has been closed since 2 May 2024. This closure worsens conditions for those most in need, including individuals desperately seeking specialized care and refugees seeking resettlement reuniting with relatives already in Egypt. Tens of thousands of other Palestinians now live in Egypt as well, making the case for a fully operational crossing even stronger. Israel closed the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing to all movement, blocking any access to the outside world.
Gazan Toll and Identification Efforts
The toll of this continuing conflict has caused the most casualties ever documented in Gaza. According to the Health Ministry’s latest death toll report, over 68,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the ongoing violence. The ministry has posted photos of those killed online. They continue to call on families impacted by this tragedy to step forward and help match recipients to their loved ones.
Amidst the rubble and devastation, rescue efforts continue as search teams scour the ruins of buildings for survivors or remains. In Khan Younis, southern city, bulldozers are clearing away rubble. They want to identify more bodies. As the Red Cross recently announced, thousands are still unaccounted for, highlighting the deep human toll of the ongoing war.
“Bring me my son, bring all our kids back.” – Iman Sakani
This anguished call reflects the painful reality faced by countless families who are living in grief and danger. The emotional toll on families is an ongoing tragedy as excavations in Gaza continue to find more captives’ bodies.
Concerns Over Future Attacks
Now the US State Department is warning against their use. Specifically, they reported credible information about a planned, imminent attack by Hamas against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This anticipated offensive would likely violate the ceasefire agreement. More importantly, it would endanger the extraordinary progress we have achieved through years of careful, patient diplomatic mediation.
“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts.” – US State Department
A cyberattack like that would send shockwaves through the world. Or it could lead to an escalation of violence and a deepening of the humanitarian disaster. As you know, President Donald Trump has been very adamant about the seriousness of the crisis. He threatened that should Hamas continue to target civilians, the US would be forced to intervene.
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” – US President Donald Trump
This remark tips the hand of a very hawkish US interventionism to come. It invites pressing new questions about potential new escalations in a regional tinderbox.
The Humanitarian Landscape
With the Rafah crossing still closed, thousands of Gazans are still stuck outside of Palestine with no access to food, water, or medical care. A completely reopened, improved crossing would almost double the improvement in access to medical treatment. It would further make possible crucial travel for people fleeing violence or reuniting with family members in Egypt. The needs are still unbelievably urgent, with millions of people still in need and counting.
The latest conflict has brought attention to Israel’s treatment of dead Palestinians. Allegations are emerging of the return of bodies marked only with numbers, and not their names. As you can imagine, families are outraged by this practice. They call for justice and accountability for their sons imprisoned in the war.
As excavations and recovery efforts continue in Gaza, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring peace and restore humanity to those affected by this turmoil.
