Quiver Quantitative - The situation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip has reached a boiling point. As the conflict enters its tenth day, Israel continues its bombardment, leading to the flattening of numerous buildings and the unfortunate trapping of many beneath rubble. Despite a devastating attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7th that killed 1,300, and subsequent unrelenting bombings of Gaza by Israeli forces, Israel's chief military spokesperson has confirmed there's no immediate ceasefire plan.
Israel's determination to neutralize Hamas has caused significant humanitarian issues. An alarming 2,750 deaths have been reported, including a significant number of children. The ongoing blockade and preparations for a ground invasion have compounded the strife in Gaza, as food, fuel, and water shortages reach crisis levels. While international aid has been mobilized, its delivery remains in limbo, stalled in Egypt, due to disagreements regarding its safe transfer to Gaza. There's also uncertainty about the opening of the Rafah border crossing, which could allow foreign citizens to leave and aid to enter the besieged area.
Amid this chaos, U.S. involvement is palpable. The White House has shown keen interest in facilitating the opening of the Rafah crossing, at least temporarily. Furthermore, U.S. President Joe Biden has restructured his commitments, staying back for national security meetings, revealing Washington's intent to mitigate the conflict. While the U.S. has rendered military aid to Israel, Biden has emphasized the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians and ensuring that Israel abides by war rules during its retaliation against Hamas.
Compounding the dire situation, Gaza's north has witnessed heavy bombings around areas like the Al-Quds hospital, leaving many displaced and seeking shelter. Vital services are on the brink of collapse due to extended power outages, leading to grave health concerns. Meanwhile, the political landscape grows more complicated, with warnings of an escalated conflict following skirmishes between Israel and militants from Lebanon's Hezbollah.
This article was originally published on Quiver Quantitative