UN News Champion: ‘Are you keeping up with the death?’ The grinding toll of war in Gaza
24 December 2024
In the aftermath of the latest escalation of violence in Gaza, UN News Champion asked Gaza-based journalist Hind Selman to document the toll of war on the people of Gaza. Selman writes that each day brings new horrors in Gaza, where the relentless conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has exacted a devastating toll on civilians, particularly children.
“I penned this piece in the direct aftermath of one of the recent escalations of violence in Gaza, a 2-day period of deadly Israeli airstrikes on the already flattened coastal strip,” says Selman.
“After the dust had settled, 47 Palestinians were dead, among them 17 children. Five of the children were from the same family, and 9 from the Shati refugee camp.”
The international community has widely condemned the airstrikes, which have been described as a “massacre” by many human rights groups. The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire, but so far, there has been no response from the Israeli government. The deadliness of the Israeli airstrikes is attributed to the use of American-made HIMARS rockets, which are designed to penetrate thick concrete.
“Gaza has suffered four major offensives in the last 12 years,” says Selman, “it has endured a crippling siege for 16 years. I have lived through all of it. With each offensive, the death toll rises. Each time, we are left to pick up the pieces and mourn our dead.”
Selman says that the psychological toll of the war is also immense, “for the children especially, who are growing up in a state of constant fear and uncertainty.”
“A whole generation is being traumatized,” she says.
“I often ask myself, are you keeping up with the death? How much more killing will it take for the world to act?”
As the conflict in Gaza rages on, Selman urges the international community to take action to protect the people of Gaza.
“We are tired of war,” she says. “We want to live in peace and dignity.”
Background
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for decades. Israel occupied Gaza in 1967, and has maintained a blockade of the territory since 2007. The blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy and has had a devastating impact on the lives of its residents.
In recent years, there have been several major escalations of violence in Gaza. In 2014, Israel launched a 51-day offensive on Gaza, which killed more than 2,000 Palestinians. In 2021, there was another major escalation of violence, which lasted for 11 days and killed more than 250 Palestinians.
The latest escalation of violence began on August 5, 2022, when Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza in response to the firing of rockets by Palestinian militants. The airstrikes killed dozens of Palestinians, including many children.
The international community has widely condemned the Israeli airstrikes, and has called for an immediate ceasefire. However, so far, there has been no response from the Israeli government.
The human cost of war
The conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the lives of its residents. The blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy and has led to widespread poverty and unemployment. The ongoing violence has also taken a heavy toll on the mental health of Gazans, particularly children.
According to the UN, more than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict in Gaza since 2007. The majority of the victims have been civilians, including many children.
The conflict has also caused widespread destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. Homes, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed or damaged. The water and sanitation systems have also been damaged, which has led to a shortage of clean water and an increase in the risk of disease.
The need for action
The international community must take action to protect the people of Gaza. The blockade must be lifted and the violence must end. The international community must also provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to help them rebuild their lives.
The people of Gaza have suffered enough. They deserve to live in peace and dignity.
Call to action
You can help the people of Gaza by:
- Donating to humanitarian organizations that are providing assistance to the people of Gaza.
- Contacting your elected officials and urging them to support policies that will protect the people of Gaza.
- Spreading the word about the plight of the people of Gaza and calling for an end to the violence.
Additional resources
UN News Champion: ‘Are you keeping up with the death?’ The grinding toll of war in Gaza
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