One of the most tragic aspects of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza is the disproportionate impact on civilians. The densely populated nature of the region means that civilians, including women and children, are inevitably caught in the crossfire. Over 8,500 civilians have been killed with a vast number of them being women and children. The indiscriminate use of force has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties, causing immense human suffering and loss.
The infrastructure in Gaza has been decimated as a result of the conflict. Hospitals, schools, water and electricity networks, and other crucial facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed. The wanton destruction of basic infrastructure in Gaza exacerbates the already dire living conditions for the population, hindering access to essential services.
On Wednesday, all communications to the Gaza Strip were cut off for the second time in one week, just as over 200 Palestinians were killed and scores wounded by an Israeli large scale attack on Jenin refugee camp.
The war on Gaza has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis. The population of Gaza is heavily dependent on international aid, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, fuel and healthcare in clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Beyond the physical destruction, the war on Gaza has had a significant psychological impact on the population. Continuous exposure to violence, deaths, maiming, and destruction has led to widespread trauma and mental health issues, particularly among children. The long-lasting psychological scars of war can hinder the prospects of peace and reconciliation in the future.
Against the backdrop of the United States and her Western allies’ complicity in Israel’s aggression, a large portion of the international community has condemned the Zionist regime over the humanitarian catastrophe. Calls for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, and access to humanitarian aid have been made by various nations and organizations.
The humanitarian catastrophe resulting from Israel’s war on Gaza is an ongoing tragedy that demands urgent attention and action. The impact on civilians, infrastructure, and the overall well-being of the population is immense and cannot be overlooked. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritize the protection and well-being of civilians and work towards a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through dialogue, understanding, and a commitment to peace can the cycle of violence and suffering be broken, and the people of Gaza be given a chance to rebuild their lives.
Amidst the symphony of destruction in Gaza and the West Bank, reports filtered in about Israel’s obnoxious proposal to Egypt. It is being reported that Israel is offering to pay off Egypt’s over $20 billion debt to the IMF if they agree to transfer the population of Gaza into the Sinai Desert. This brings to the forefront several legal and ethical considerations.
International law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits the forced transfer or displacement of populations. Both Israel and Egypt, as signatories, are bound by this convention which explicitly states that “forcible transfer, as well as deportation of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country” is not permissible. Such actions could also be construed as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Additionally, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) both underscore the right of individuals to choose their residence freely and to not be subjected to arbitrary displacement.
Beyond the realm of legalities, the humanitarian implications of such a proposal are profound. The displacement of the Gaza population would not only disrupt lives and communities but could also sow seeds of further regional instability.
It’s imperative that any discussions or negotiations in this context be underpinned by a thorough understanding of international legal obligations and the potential humanitarian repercussions. Upholding the principles of international law and human rights is paramount in such deliberations.
Although the Zionist regime does not care about international law unless it benefits them, US President Joe Biden reportedly denied in a phone conversation on Wednesday with King Abdullah of Jodan that there are plans for forceful evacuation of Gazans. But leaked document from the White House suggests otherwise as it shows America plans to pay to relocate Palestinian refugees. In the White House document, it explains plans for Biden’s $106 billion budget request.
“These resources would support displaced and conflict-affected civilians, including Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank, and to address potential needs of Gazans fleeing to neighbouring countries… This crisis could well result in displacement across border and higher regional humanitarian needs, and funding may be used to meet evolving programming requirements outside of Gaza.”
The US and Israeli plans to displace Gazans into neighbouring countries are tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
To understand this context, it is essential to consider the historical fact the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was actualized as a result of ethnic cleansing which saw the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland.
Golda Meir, who was Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974, wrote in her memoirs: “Palestine was then the area between the Mediterranean and the Iraqian border… I’m a Palestinian, from 1921 to 1948 I carried a Palestinian passport.”
On 6 of May 1948, she visited Haifa after its 22 April occupation. There, she witnessed an elderly Arab woman emerging from a destroyed house, clutching to her few remaining belongings. When the two women made eye contact, they burst into tears. Meir went on to call for the mass expulsion and flight of Arabs before 1948.
Besides the the Zionists’ pipe dream of actualizing the much-vaunted vision of Greater Israel, there is another underpinning motive behind the push to ethnically cleanse Gaza. There’s an enormous gas resources on the coast of the enclave. According to news reports, there is a natural gas field called Gaza Marine that lies about 30 kilometers west of the Gaza coast. It was discovered in 2000 by British Gas and is estimated to contain more than 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. However, the extraction of this gas has been delayed due to political and security reasons, as well as disputes between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over the ownership and revenue sharing of the gas.
There is also another gas field near Gaza, called Tamar, that is located off the coast of Israel. It is run by US energy company Chevron and supplies 70% of Israel’s energy needs for power generation. However, this gas field was shut down on Monday (October 9, 2023) by Israel’s Ministry of Energy due to safety concerns amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Now it makes no sense why Israel will deliberately plan for the mass eviction of Palestinians from Gaza while the war still rages. It’s crucial to acknowledge that predicting the future of Gaza is challenging. The situation is fluid and highly volatile, and various factors could influence the outcome of this conflict.
