By Zaheena Rasheed, Stephen Quillen and Edna Mohamed

Published On 7 Aug 2024

7 Aug 2024

Latest News About Gaza

Another Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting from the ground, said the Israeli airstrikes had appeared to concentrate on targets as eastern parts of Khan Younis were hit in the southern and central zones of the Gaza Strip.

Overnight Israeli attacks in Deir el-Balah, Central Gaza—following a day of multiple killings in Gaza—demolished two houses and tents housing displaced persons, leaving three dead and more than ten wounded.

The Gaza Strip-based leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, was appointed Friday to be the new political leader of the movement in place of Ismail Haniyeh, who died in the missile attacks in Tehran—largely blamed on Israel.

Following these reports, Israel’s military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, affirmed in an interview that Israel still stands committed to killing Sinwar.

A report says that Turkey is going to petition the ICJ and subsequently join South Africa over the case of genocide.

A Reuters report says that Turkey will file a request to intervene before the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Tuesday, in a case involving South Africa’s genocide complaint against Israel.

A diplomatic source told the news agency that the declaration will be made at 1330 GMT and follows an announcement earlier this week from the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, that his country would join South Africa’s legal action against Israel.

There has also been a call by Spain for the involvement of the ICJ to arbitrate in the dispute with South Africa.

Gaza Under Attack Introduction

The long-standing conflict between Israel and Gaza has rekindled, capturing international attention and worry. It is necessary to understand the details of this war, and particularly the most recent ‘focused’ bombing attacks toward central Gaza, to consider its deep implications for both regions and the entire world.

Watch Analyst: Israel doesn’t realize that killing Palestinian leaders accomplishes nothing.

“The problem is that Israel has still not come to grips with the failure of its policy of systematically assassinating Palestinian resistance leaders,” Rami Khouri, a senior public policy fellow at the American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera.

“They will try to kill more people. But it doesn’t work. Khouri said, “It’s kind of funny, the Israelis don’t know that when they kill someone, they get someone more extreme.

“That’s exactly what happened. When they killed Haniyeh, Sinwar took over. He said Sinwar is generally considered a bit more hardline.

Watch Full Segment Below:

Introduction: The Israeli army has returned 84 Palestinian bodies to Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Verified footage shows mass graves being prepared in Khan Younis’ Turkish Cemetery for burial. The bodies, delivered to Nasser Medical Complex with help from the ICRC and Palestinian Civil Defence, were found in blue plastic bags with Hebrew inscriptions. Families searched these bags for identification but found the bodies largely decomposed. It is unclear when or how they were killed, but The Times of Israel reports the bodies were initially seized for identification purposes. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud joins us live from Khan Younis in southern Gaza to discuss the latest news.

Historical Background Gaza

The Israeli-Gaza conflict has an extremely deep root with a hundred years of territorial disputes, political tensions, and bloody confrontations. The modern conflict dates back to the early twentieth century when major escalations followed shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the consequent Arab-Israeli wars. Critical incidents marked the contemporary situation of animosity and resistance, such as the famous Six-Day War in 1967 or the First and Second Intifadas.

Current Situation Gaza

Over the past few weeks, the conflict has intensified as Israeli forces started to carry out a tightly condensed series of bombings over the central parts of Gaza. This escalation began after a series of rocket attacks from Gaza into the country’s territory. This saw a prompt and decisive military retaliation from the Israeli forces. As shown in the timeline of events, it is a fast escalation that resulted in heavy casualties and damages on both sides. Central Gaza:

The Focus of Attacks

These concentrated bombing attacks are, therefore, mainly concentrated in central Gaza, which is heavily crowded. This region has a strategic importance in terms of population and militancy as different militant groups have their strongholds here. Much of central Gaza lies in ruins amidst utter chaos.

Nature of ‘Concentrated’ Bombing

The term ‘concentrated’ bombing refers to focused and intensive bombardment of an area. For Gaza, this would mean pounding, unrelenting airstrikes, and artillery shells to paralyze the infrastructure and militancy of the groups. Recent examples include the demolition of buildings allegedly housing Hamas operatives and weapons. 

How it Affects Civilians

These attacks have been hardest on the civilian population in Gaza. Reports from there indicate heavy casualties among women and children, with thousands of injuries. There is also wide-scale displacement, with many families having to flee their homes and find shelter in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens with each passing day.

Responses from Israel

The Israeli military strategy over Gaza has been geared toward the neutralization of threats from militant groups, most notably Hamas. The government had put a gloss on its actions as self-defence, necessitated by protecting Israeli citizens from rocket attacks. Official statements by Israeli leaders underline a commitment to the targeting of militant infrastructure while attempting to minimize civilian casualties.

Responses from Gaza

On the other hand, Hamas along with other hardline resistance groups vows to continue to attack against the aggression of the Israelis. It had launched dozens of rockets into the Israeli territory, targeting military locations apart from the civilian ones. The civilian reactions in Gaza vary from makeshift medical responses to grassroots organising in a bid to Solidarity with the victims of bombings.

International Reactions

What has been the international response to this war? The case has received a medley of condemnation, appeal for restraint, and frenetic diplomatic activity in pursuit of a cease-fire. Statements have been issued by the United Nations and world leaders, urging both sides to cool down the conflict and blind eyes to whatever civilians they come across. Neighbouring countries, especially Egypt and Jordan, have been substantially involved in mediation efforts.

Media Coverage

The reporting of the conflict differs greatly between local and international media, where two distinct narratives come out. The circle of reporting by Israeli media revolves around the Hamas threat and self-justification for military actions. The international media, however, expresses a humanitarian impact on Gaza and the disproportionate nature of the Israeli response.

Humanitarian Efforts

Aid organizations are working to alleviate the suffering of the victims. This includes providing medical supplies, food, and clean water to the displaced families. However, all humanitarian workers face many challenges daily. Workers have limited access to some areas and a constant threat of violence continues to prevail. 

Political Implications:

The conflict has major political ramifications for both Israel and Palestine. In Israel, the way the government deals with the conflict can sway public opinion and even the results of elections. For the Palestinians, it affects both internal politics and the broader state-building effort. The political equations in the Middle East, too, are altered because of this situation, where different countries have taken sides and hence influence the course of events.

Economic Implications

The economic effects of the conflict in Gaza are still appalling, with the bombing destroying the infrastructure, houses, and business ventures, thereby causing long-term economic problems. Reconstruction is going to require mammoth resources and international aid. The continuous conflicts not only disrupt economic activity, but the poverty and unemployment rates have also risen in the region.

Future Prospects

The future of the Israeli-Gaza conflict remains unknown. Though voices are being raised for a cease-fire and the resumption of peace talks, the hatred and political complexities are too deeply entrenched at present. What is needed is sustained regional and international diplomacy in the quest for a lasting solution that spells peace and security for the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Conclusion

Central Gaza has seen a qualitative raising of the stakes with the resumption of concentrated bombing attacks. Civilians bear the brunt, but so do responses from both camps and international reactions, which show just how complicated and serious things are. The only way forward will be a strong drive toward diplomacy and humanitarian concerns if the suffering is to be lessened and the path to enduring peace is to be paved. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the roots of the Israel-Gaza conflict? 

The Israel-Gaza conflict lies in territorial problems and political enmity from nearly a hundred years back but more specifically from 1948, when the nation of Israel was founded.

2. What has been the international response? 

The international community has called for restraint and de-escalation; the United Nations and various world leaders urge both sides to protect civilians and seek an end to hostilities.

3. What are the humanitarian efforts in Gaza? 

The humanitarian efforts taken by Gaza are aid groups that have offered medical supplies, food, shelter, and other assistance to the population affected by the continuous violence and limited access challenges.

4. What are the long-term effects of the war? 

The long-term effects are demanding economic challenges, massive infrastructure destruction, and political and social resentment that becomes very difficult to get rid of in letting the region live in peace and stability.

5. How is peace possible? 

The accomplishment of peace takes constant careful diplomacy, international mediation, and willingness by both parties to engage in serious negotiations to deal with deep-seated issues that have perpetuated the war.