In recent weeks, Israel has sustained a series of attacks across the Gaza Strip, exacerbating an already dire situation. The impact of these attacks is staggering, with casualties and infrastructure damage reaching unprecedented levels. As of December 21, 08:00 am local time in Gaza (06:00 GMT), the latest figures paint a grim picture:
Gaza’s Hourly Nightmare: A Shocking Report on the Unrelenting Conflict
Casualty Figures:
- Gaza:
- Killed: At least 20,000, including 8,000 children and 6,200 women.
- Injured: More than 52,586, including 8,663 children and 6,327 women.
- Missing: More than 8,000.
Additional Figures:
- Occupied West Bank:
- Killed: At least 301, including 72 children.
- Injured: More than 3,365.
- Israel:
- Killed: About 1,139.
- Injured: At least 8,730.
These shocking numbers highlight the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in the region.
Infrastructure Damage:
According to the latest data from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Palestinian government, Israeli attacks have left devastating effects, damaging at least:
- Over half of Gaza’s homes, with 306,500 residential units destroyed or damaged.
- 352 educational facilities.
- 27 out of 35 hospitals non-functional.
- 102 ambulances.
- 197 places of worship.
The widespread destruction has left civilians with nowhere safe to go, compounded by the Israeli army’s evacuation grid map, causing confusion among residents. Every hour in Gaza, the toll rises, with 15 people killed, 6 of them children, 35 injured, 42 bombs dropped, and 12 buildings destroyed.
Journalists’ Grim Fate:
As of December 18, at least 73 journalists, predominantly Palestinian, have lost their lives since the conflict began on October 7. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) report that 66 Palestinian journalists, three Lebanese, and four Israeli journalists have been killed.
Sixteen Years of Blockade:
The Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million people, has been subjected to a 16-year Israeli blockade, leading to strict control over airspace and territorial waters. The densely populated area faces severe restrictions on the movement of goods and people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threat to turn Gaza into a “deserted island” further heightens the gravity of the situation.
Escalation Timeline:
The conflict unfolded on October 7 when Hamas launched a massive rocket barrage into southern Israel. Subsequent events, including Israeli settler incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and a significant number of Palestinian casualties, set the stage for the conflict.
Gaza’s Geographical Overview:
The Gaza Strip comprises five governorates: North Gaza, Gaza City, Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Each region faces its own challenges, from refugee camps to major urban centers. The critical infrastructure, like al-Shifa Hospital, has not been spared from the devastation.
As the conflict intensifies, the international community must address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Urgent action is required to provide assistance, ensure the safety of civilians, and work towards a lasting resolution to bring an end to the suffering in the region.
News Source: Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
