Israel launched an intense airstrike campaign Monday night that left residents in Gaza City reeling, with residents calling the airstrikes an “earthquake.” Families fled their homes in fear as United States-backed Israeli military actions at International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings continue regarding allegations of war crimes and occupation policies. The renewed escalation comes at a time when United States strongly defends them.
Israeli forces claim their strikes targeted Hamas infrastructure such as tunnels and command centers in response to recent rocket fire into southern Israel; however, reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry indicate at least 27 people, including women and children, were killed with more than 100 being injured as result of what local authorities are terming “indiscriminate aggression”.
Khan Younis and northern Gaza saw entire residential blocks collapse into rubble, forcing hundreds of families to seek refuge in already overcrowded UN schools and hospitals. “We thought it was an earthquake,” stated Umm Hani, who narrowly escaped with her children after witnessing violent ground tremors followed by screaming. She lamented,’my home has gone.
This recent wave of violence coincides with International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in The Hague, during which Palestinian representatives accused Israel of breaking international law through its occupation and military campaigns against Palestinian territories.
In a strong statement, the United States reiterated its unwavering support for Israel, noting its right to self-defense against terrorist threats and its jurisdictional constraints at intervening in what it termed as “complex geopolitical conflicts.”
International reaction has been mixed. European and Latin American nations expressed alarm over the rising civilian death toll and demanded immediate de-escalation measures to stop it. Meanwhile, both parties involved have been advised by UN authorities to exercise restraint; humanitarian agencies warn that Gaza’s health system is on the verge of collapse.
“Bombings must end immediately as children are dying, hospitals are overburdened, and the people of Gaza have nowhere to turn,” according to Dr. Leila Marwan of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
As bombs keep falling and diplomatic efforts collapse, civilians in Gaza continue to face the after-effects of an ongoing conflict, their lives being upended not only by explosions but by global powers’ indifference as well.