The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels as continuous airstrikes by Israeli forces have left the region devastated. Residents of Gaza face nightly bombardments, with the skies lit up by explosions and the constant fear of their homes being the next target.
According to the Gazan Ministry of Health, November 6 witnessed the deaths of 252 people within 24 hours due to 18 Israeli attacks. Hospitals and schools have not been spared, exacerbating an already dire situation where 95 percent of Gaza lacks access to clean drinking water. Many residents survive on as little as two pieces of bread a day, a hardship intensified by the targeting of bakeries, making basic food supplies scarce.
With one child reportedly killed every 10 minutes, international organizations and human rights groups are intensifying calls for an immediate ceasefire. They argue that a humanitarian pause is insufficient to address the scale of destruction and human suffering. Infrastructure, including hospitals, water pipelines, solar panels, and telecommunications networks, has been severely damaged or destroyed, leaving over two million Gazans with limited access to essential services.
The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution demanding a ceasefire, but implementation remains stalled. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed calls for a ceasefire, stating that operations will continue until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas are released. Meanwhile, families of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have called for a prisoner exchange, urging leaders to consider “everyone for everyone.”
In the United States, public pressure on the government is mounting. President Joe Biden’s administration faces criticism for advocating only a humanitarian pause rather than a full ceasefire. Massive demonstrations have taken place across the country, including one of the largest pro-Palestinian marches in Washington, D.C., on November 4. Activists and Jewish organizations have organized protests and sit-ins, demanding an end to the violence and the initiation of peace efforts.
The escalating conflict and the humanitarian toll it is taking on civilians highlight the urgent need for international intervention. A ceasefire is increasingly seen by many as the only viable path to prevent further loss of life and to begin addressing the catastrophic conditions facing the people of Gaza.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
