Gaza City —(Map)
Despite criticism, Israel is planning to increase its military action in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he plans for Israel to take complete control of the area. The threats come as the number of Palestinian deaths from hunger and violence are increasing.
Israel, Hamas, & Gaza
The fighting in Gaza began after the Palestinian militant group Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2022, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. In response, Israel sent soldiers into Gaza and has continued to pound the area with bombs since the war began. Though Israel is fighting against Hamas, the war has had terrible and deadly effects on everyone living in Gaza.
Most of the roughly 2 million people who live in Gaza have been forced to move several times. Around 92% of the housing units in Gaza have been destroyed, and over 61,000 people in Gaza have been killed, many of them civilians. This includes more than 18,000 children. Most people in Gaza are now living in rough camps or temporary shelters.
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Most of Gaza’s roughly 2 million people have been forced to move several times. Around 92% of the housing units in Gaza have been destroyed, and most people in Gaza are now living in rough camps or temporary shelters. The image above, showing the tents of a camp, was taken on Monday.
Since early in the war, Israel has limited aid coming into Gaza. Between early March and mid-May of this year, Israel completely blocked food, water, and medicine from entering the area. Without aid, the situation in Gaza became desperate. Many people were going hungry, and the United Nations warned of the risk of famine for everyone living in Gaza.
When Israel allowed aid into Gaza again in May, it was through an aid group created by the United States and Israel. The group had strict rules about how aid was delivered. The result was huge crowds at aid sites. At times, Israeli forces shot at the crowds of Palestinians struggling to get food.
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Israel blocked aid to Gaza for nearly three months. When Israel allowed aid in again, it was through a group with strict rules about how aid was delivered. The result was huge crowds at aid sites. At times, Israeli forces shot at Palestinians struggling to get food. Above, Palestinians trying to get food at an aid station on Sunday.
At least 1,370 people have been killed while trying to get food in Gaza. Over 200 others have died from a lack of food, including 100 children. International aid groups say not enough aid is reaching Gaza. Critics say Israel’s government is using aid as a weapon. Mr. Netanyahu says this is “completely false”.
Currently, Israel controls roughly 75% of Gaza. Now Mr. Netanyahu has said he plans to take control of the entire area. Last Friday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Though Israel’s military is opposed to the idea, Mr. Netanyahu says his plan is “the best way to end the war”.
(Source: Based on image by Personisinsterest [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Not everyone agrees. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people in Israel protested against plans for expanded military action. Protesters included some of the families of the roughly 50 hostages still being held by Hamas.
Many international leaders, including members of the United Nations, also criticized the plan. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears.”
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he plans to take control of the entire area. Last Friday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Mr. Netanyahu, shown above talking to reporters on Sunday, says his plan is “the best way to end the war”.
Israel says it won’t end the war until Hamas lays down its weapons. But Hamas says it won’t quit fighting until Palestine is recognized as a country.
The idea of recognizing Palestine has been around since 1947. Treating Israel and Palestine as separate countries is often called a “two-state solution”. Close to 150 countries already recognize Palestine. But many concerns – such as territory, security, and leadership – have prevented international agreement on a Palestinian state.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have led a growing number of countries – even strong supporters of Israel – to say they plan to recognize Palestine as a country. In recent months, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have taken this position. Germany hasn’t supported recognizing Palestine, but it has said it will limit the weapons it sells to Israel.
On Sunday, several reporters in Gaza were killed by an Israeli airstrike. Israel claimed that a well-known reporter among them, Anas al-Sharif, was part of Hamas. Israel didn’t provide any proof of its claim.
Did You Know…?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has said that Mr. Netanyahu and his ex-minister of defense should be arrested for possible war crimes. This has put countries which support both Israel and the ICC in an awkward position. The US is not a member of the ICC, and Mr. Netanyahu has visited US President Donald Trump twice this year despite the court’s request for his arrest.
Note: The current situation in the Middle East is serious. If this article brings up questions or worries for you, be sure to discuss them with an adult you trust. This article attempts to give a general idea of the situation in simple terms. But these issues are complicated and have long histories; there are important points that haven’t been covered here.
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