A Humanitarian Crisis

One year later, over 41,870 people have been killed and 97,166 more have been injured or deemed missing, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. A recent study in The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, suggests the true death toll could reach more than 186,000. Additionally, a ‘total blockade’ has been imposed, cutting off 2.2 million civilians from access to food, electricity, and fuel.

United Nations officials are warning of an impending famine, with about 55% of all infrastructure destroyed and over 90% of the population displaced. A report by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, titled De-Gaza: A Year of Israel’s Genocide and the Collapse of World Order, documents the atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023, labeling these acts as genocide. The report highlights widespread civilian deaths and destruction, including:

• Mass civilian deaths: Over 41,870 Palestinians have been killed, with a significant portion being women and children. Specifically, 33% of the dead were women and 21% were children.

• Targeted killings: Civilians were killed in their homes, shelters, and humanitarian-declared safe zones, often via drone strikes and tank assaults.

• Field executions: Palestinian civilians were executed in crowded markets, at aid distribution sites, and while fleeing in displacement camps. Military vehicles and tanks were used to execute individuals in fields and streets, resulting in mass casualties.

• Starvation tactics: Israel has been accused of using starvation as a method of warfare, blocking humanitarian aid, and intentionally worsening living conditions, leading to widespread malnutrition.

• Healthcare system destruction: Israel targeted hospitals and medical infrastructure, contributing to a healthcare crisis. The destruction prevented the wounded from receiving care, exacerbating the number of deaths.

• Family separations: Thousands of families were separated, with many members killed, injured, or detained. For example, 365 families lost more than ten members, and 2,750 families lost at least three members due to Israeli military actions.

According to the report, these actions meet the definition of genocide, as they were deliberate and targeted efforts to destroy a population in whole or part.

Bombs Dropped on Gaza
By the 200th day, Israel had dropped 75,000 tons of bombs on Gaza—six times the amount used in Hiroshima. Queen Mary University reported 54% to 66% of Gaza’s buildings damaged, causing up to 652,000 tons of CO2 emissions, surpassing the emissions of 26 countries in the first 120 days of 2024.

Use of White Phosphorus Bombs
Israel used banned white phosphorus bombs in densely populated Gaza, causing severe injuries. White phosphorus ignites upon contact with air and burns inside human flesh. Its use is banned under the 1980 Geneva Convention, and Amnesty International confirmed its use in Gaza. The U.S. is investigating whether its weapons were involved.

Water as a Weapon of War
Israel targeted Gaza’s infrastructure, damaging 67% of its water and sanitation systems. OXFAM accused Israel of cutting Gaza’s water supply by 94%, leaving Palestinians with only 4.74 liters per day, well below emergency levels.

Waste Collection Crisis
PAX for Peace reported 100,000 tons of solid waste accumulating in Gaza due to damaged collection vehicles. With 85% of the population displaced and 62% of buildings destroyed, diseases like Hepatitis B and C have spread, causing the collapse of Gaza’s health system.

Carbon Emissions and Environmental Impact
UNRWA warned that clearing Gaza’s 23 million tons of debris will take years. Rebuilding could generate up to 60 million tons of CO2 emissions, comparable to the combined annual emissions of Sweden and Portugal.

Genocide Continues
Despite a UN ceasefire resolution, Israel’s offensive continues, with 41,870 Palestinians killed, 97,166 injured, and 11,000 missing since October 7. Most victims are women and children, with nearly two million displaced in the largest exodus since the 1948 Nakba.

The Palestinian refugee crisis is one of the most significant humanitarian challenges the world has witnessed, with over 7 million Palestinians displaced across the globe. Our goal is to ensure that the people of Palestine know they are not forgotten and that their struggle continues to be recognized.