October 16 - Israel/Palestine update

“A textbook case of genocide is unfolding in front of our eyes”

Amidst the fog of war and propaganda, and the 24/7 non-stop information flow, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s actually happening. This is why I’ve decided to start providing these updates — every one or two days — on the Israel-Palestine war (or, more precisely, Israel’s war on Palestine), highlighting the most important stories relating to the conflict.

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Let’s start with the most tragic part: the death count. According to the The Gaza Health Ministry, more than 2,300 Palestinians — 14 every hour — have been killed so far in Israel’s brutal, indiscriminate, round-the-clock bombing of Gaza. This includes more than 700 children.

According to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a Geneva-based independent organisation, Israel’s air strikes and artillery attacks have destroyed 2,650 residential buildings and severely damaged approximately 70,000 residential units. In addition, 65 government buildings were destroyed. Israel’s attacks also caused destruction to at least 71 schools, the destruction of 145 industrial facilities, 61 media headquarters, the demolition of 18 mosques, and the damage to dozens of ancient churches and mosques. And yet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that what we have seen is “only the beginning”.

For a very good overview of what is happening — and why what is happening in Gaza will only beget more resistance — check out this great video by David Hearst, the editor in Chief of Middle East Eye.

On top of the people directly killed by the Israeli military, we have the wider humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza as a result of the massive displacement caused by people fleeing their homes — at least 1 million people already — and by the “total siege” imposed by Israel on Gaza — cutting off its electricity, water and food supplies, and preventing the access of humanitarian aid — which is a war crime in and of itself, which may result in an even higher death toll than the Israeli bombs themselves.

According to the The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), “civilians are dying at the world’s watch”.

“The scale and speed of the unfolding humanitarian crisis is bone-chilling. Gaza is fast becoming a hell-hole and is on the brink of collapse”, the organisation said.