Israelis, Palestinians face grim future as war persists
Israel and Palestine remain locked in a prolonged conflict with no signs of abating. Israeli airstrikes relentlessly targeted Gaza on Sunday, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that the war initiated by Hamas’s October 7 attack is expected to endure for “many months.”
Gaza City witnessed intense overnight bombing, resulting in the tragic death of at least 40 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. As the conflict continues, the Israeli army reported engaging in multiple ground battles, air and tank strikes, discovering Hamas tunnels, and uncovering explosives planted in a kindergarten.
The devastating impact of the conflict is evident in the displacement of 85 percent of Gaza’s 2.4 million people, according to the UN. With makeshift tents providing shelter against the winter cold, there is a growing risk of hunger and disease among the displaced population.
The conflict escalated dramatically when Palestinian gunmen breached Gaza’s high-tech border fence, launching an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. The toll stands at about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, based on an AFP tally. The conflict has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins, resulting in the death of at least 21,822 people, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry. Over 55,000 people have been injured, with Gaza’s hospitals overwhelmed or out of service.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres condemned the “epic human suffering” and “collective punishment” of Palestinian civilians, calling for a ceasefire. While world leaders advocate for a halt to the violence, Israel remains resolute in its determination to continue until Hamas is defeated, with the backing of the United States.
Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the prolonged nature of the conflict, stating, “the war will continue for many months until Hamas is eliminated and the hostages are returned.” Despite international efforts towards a ceasefire, families in Gaza remain desperate for relief, with at least 129 hostages still believed to be held.
As diplomatic efforts persist, with a Qatari-mediated proposal for renewable ceasefires and a phased release of hostages, the situation remains fluid. Meanwhile, violence has spread to other fronts, including the occupied West Bank and clashes between Israel and Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Against this backdrop, the conflict’s impact reverberates beyond the region, with the U.S. military intervening in the Red Sea to counter Huthi rebels’ attacks on cargo ships, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The complexity of the situation underscores the challenges in finding a swift and comprehensive resolution to the long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict.
