JERUSALEM (AP) — The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has resulted in devastating consequences for the Gaza Strip, where approximately 2.1 million Palestinians reside. The conflict has drastically altered their lives and led to significant destruction across the territory’s 365 square kilometers (140 square miles).
Data reveals the staggering toll of the war: out of every ten individuals, one has been killed or injured due to Israeli airstrikes, while nine have been displaced. A dire humanitarian crisis is manifesting, with at least three individuals going days without sustenance. The impact on children is particularly harrowing, with four out of every hundred children having lost one or both parents. Additionally, around 80% of the buildings that existed in Gaza before the war are either damaged or completely destroyed.
The catalyst for the conflict occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise assault on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages taken to Gaza. In retaliation, Israeli leaders pledged a ruthless offensive aimed at dismantling Hamas and rescuing the hostages.
As the war intensified, the consequences became increasingly severe. Roughly 11% of Gaza's population has suffered casualties, with cemeteries overflowing and mass graves emerging across the territory. Israeli airstrikes have indiscriminately killed individuals seeking food, leading to more than 2,000 fatalities among those in desperate need of aid. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have fired warning shots at crowds attempting to access food supplies, contributing to rising tensions.
The attacks have also heavily impacted healthcare, with hospitals overwhelmed and medical supplies severely restricted. The Israeli government claims that Hamas operates within hospitals, justifying their strikes; however, evidence supporting these claims has been limited. As a result, medical personnel in Gaza face significant challenges, often treating severe burn victims with minimal resources.
The conflict has also been characterized by alarming statistics regarding the safety of journalists, health workers, and U.N. aid personnel, marking it as the deadliest in history for these groups. The prevalence of explosive-related injuries in Gaza mirrors data from U.S. combat forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Numerous experts and human rights organizations have accused Israel of genocide, a claim the Israeli government strongly contests.
As of now, the Israeli campaign has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives and left nearly 170,000 wounded, with more than 40,000 suffering from life-altering injuries. The casualty figures do not account for thousands of individuals believed to be trapped under rubble. The Gaza Health Ministry, although part of the Hamas-run government, is regarded as a reliable source for these statistics by independent observers and the U.N. Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas's tactics of embedding within civilian populations.
Displacement among the population is rampant, with many Palestinian families forced to relocate multiple times within the strip to escape the ongoing bombardments. Many now reside in squalid tent cities, experiencing separation from family members and a significant loss of community due to the continuous violence. Israel's control over most of Gaza has led to considerable territorial transformation, with extensive destruction of neighborhoods, agricultural lands, and vital infrastructures like schools and hospitals.
Starvation also looms over the population, with at least 30% of individuals reportedly going days without food, and the situation has deteriorated to the extent that Gaza City has been deemed to be in a state of famine by various aid organizations. The destruction of towns, including Khuzaa, with its former agricultural significance, illustrates the grim reality of life in Gaza as the conflict enters a protracted phase.
With Israeli military operations intensifying, particularly around Gaza City, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The potential for a new American peace initiative emerges amidst this backdrop of violence, as Israeli forces aim to eradicate Hamas while simultaneously addressing the hostage situation that remains unresolved.
