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40,000 Deaths and Counting: The Latest on the Gaza War

40,000 Deaths and Counting: The Latest on the Gaza War

Over 39,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 1,139 Israelis have lost their lives in the latest escalation of the Gaza conflict as of July 2024.

The rising death toll is a grim reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a resolution. For those who haven’t kept up with the daily barrage of news, the last few months have seen significant developments in the Gaza conflict. Here’s a breakdown of the key events and changes that have shaped the current situation.

Rising Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis

The war in Gaza has been marked by a brutal increase in casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian Health Ministry has estimated for most of the conflict that around 70% of the dead are women and children.

In February, the United Nations released a report detailing the ongoing crisis. Officials stated that at least one quarter of Gaza’s population – 576,000 people – is only one step away from famine and virtually the entire population desperately needs food resulting in some aid trucks being shot at, looted and overwhelmed by hungry people.

“If nothing is done, we fear widespread famine in Gaza is almost inevitable,” U.N. humanitarian coordinator Ramesh Ramasingham said, and the Palestinian death toll “will have many more victims.”

Recent Clashes and Military Actions

In recent months, the violence has escalated with frequent airstrikes, rocket attacks and ground incursions. A PBS report shared that Israel has deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure in Gaza to ramp up “civilian pressure” on Hamas. In response, Hamas and other militant groups have fired thousands of rockets into southern Israel, reaching as far as Tel Aviv.

International Reactions and Netanyahu’s Washington Visit

The international community has been vocal, yet divided, on the Gaza conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden has called for restraint from both sides while reiterating support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Meanwhile, global protests and calls for a ceasefire have gained momentum.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., in July 2024, sparked widespread protests throughout the city. Demonstrators calling for an end to the war filled several blocks, carrying Palestinian flags and signs with messages such as “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all U.S. aid to Israel.”

Amid the chaos, there are voices advocating for peace. Todd Deatherage, co-founder of the Telos Group, emphasized the need for empathy and dialogue.

“We have to really commit ourselves to the work of peacemaking,” he told RELEVANT earlier this year. “We’ve got to really commit ourselves to working with those folks that are going to create that reality. We’ve got to make a big commitment to the work of the healing of the traumas. I mean, there’s just so much historic trauma that’s always been there. It’s almost like you’re in this giant, open-air PTSD ward as you walk around.”

Diplomatic efforts have seen some movement, with Egypt and Qatar mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. There are whispers of a potential ceasefire agreement, but details remain scarce, and skepticism abounds given the history of failed attempts.

Impact on Civilians and Psychological Toll

The psychological impact of the conflict cannot be overstated. For civilians in Gaza, the constant threat of bombings and the loss of loved ones have created a pervasive sense of fear and trauma. In Israel, the incessant rocket sirens and the reality of living within range of militant attacks have left deep psychological scars.

Organizations like Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross are on the ground, providing essential medical and psychological support to those affected. However, the scale of the crisis often overwhelms the available resources.

A report from the United Nations stated that “there is no safe place in Gaza” for civilians living there, as nearly all 2.3 million citizens have been displaced during the war.

As the conflict continues, the path to a peaceful resolution remains fraught with challenges. The deep-rooted historical, political, and social issues that fuel the conflict require more than just ceasefires and temporary truces. Long-term solutions necessitate addressing grievances, ensuring human rights, and fostering mutual understanding and respect.

Despite the bleak outlook, advocates like Deatherage remain hopeful that the war will soon come to an end.

“I hope for a future in which Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, freedom and honored dignity in equal measure,” he shared. “Any system or plan that suggests one people can achieve these things at the expense of the other will not bring true or lasting peace. The idea of mutual flourishing is rooted in the shalom of God and offers a much greater possibility for peace between Israelis and Palestinians than the false notion that unjustifiable acts can be countered with unjustifiable acts in an endless cycle and somehow, eventually the end result will be peace and justice.”

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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