On October 7, 2023, a series of devastating attacks launched by Hamas from Gaza into Israel resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis, injuries to thousands more, and the capture of approximately 240 hostages. Israel responded swiftly with attacks on Gaza, leading to the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians.
Israel subsequently imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, restricting access to essential resources such as food, water, fuel, electricity, medical supplies, and other necessities. This has resulted in widespread starvation, disease, and a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis that threatens the entire population. The situation in Gaza has been described as a potential genocide.
The West Bank has also witnessed a surge in violence against Palestinians, marked by increased attacks by Israeli settlers, mass arrests, and intensified military raids. At least 784 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured in the West Bank since the conflict began.
Gaza has endured a stringent blockade for 16 years, severely impacting the lives of its over two million residents. Even before the recent escalation, the blockade had devastating consequences: 80% of the population relied on international aid, unemployment exceeded 50%, hospitals faced chronic shortages of supplies and medicine, 96% of the water was undrinkable, and electricity was intermittent.
The blockade is enforced through violence, with weekly Israeli military incursions, daily firing into Gaza, and regular bombings. These actions have claimed thousands of Palestinian lives. Between January 1, 2008, and September 19, 2023, over 5,365 Palestinians were killed, including 1,206 children. Despite previous promises, the blockade remains in effect, inflicting immense suffering on Gazans.
The ongoing conflict raises complex legal and ethical questions. While international law recognizes the right of people under occupation to resist, it also prohibits attacks on civilians and other war crimes. Israel, as an occupying power, is bound by international law, but has been accused of systematic violations of Palestinian rights and implementing a system of apartheid. A peaceful resolution requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, including historical displacement, ongoing occupation, and allegations of apartheid.
The United States provides significant financial and military support to Israel, amounting to $3.8 billion annually. Despite international concerns about Israel’s human rights record and its policies towards Palestinians, the U.S. continues to maintain close ties with the Israeli government. This unwavering support, coupled with a perceived lack of accountability for Israel’s actions, contributes to the ongoing cycle of violence. A change in U.S. policy, including holding Israel accountable for alleged human rights violations and working towards ending the system of apartheid, is crucial for achieving lasting peace.
The violence did not begin with the October 7 attacks. 2023 was already one of the most violent years for Palestinians in over a decade, with at least 247 Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers before the end of September. Over 800 attacks were launched by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and their property, and over 1,100 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes. This occurred against a backdrop of increased Israeli land confiscation, mass arrests, military attacks on Palestinian cities, and threats to Palestinian control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The current Israeli government’s policies have further escalated violence against Palestinian communities and rejected any prospect of Palestinian independence or equality. Settler leaders are gaining influence and actively pursuing the annexation of the West Bank, aiming to displace Palestinians from the majority of the territory. For Palestinians, violence is a pervasive and brutal daily reality.
