By Harun Nasrullah
London (The Muslim News): In a devastating escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes on both Gaza and Lebanon have resulted in catastrophic loss of life, severe injuries, and large-scale displacement, further plunging the two regions into an acute humanitarian crisis.
Gaza: families devastated by relentless bombardment
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza starting Tuesday morning killed at least 51 Palestinians, including children. Residential homes, vehicles, and crowded areas were specifically targeted, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. The relentless bombardment has resulted in scenes of devastation, with entire families being wiped out in a matter of moments.
One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred in the southern Gaza town of Al-Nasr, where a mother and her four children were killed after an Israeli airstrike targeted their home. Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal confirmed the tragic deaths, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. Earlier the same day, two fatalities and several injuries were reported in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. In the central Nuseirat refugee camp, Israeli airstrikes killed eleven members of the Al-Wasifi family.
The ongoing offensive has left Gaza on the brink of collapse. Local health authorities report over 41,500 Palestinians have been killed and 96,100 injured since the escalation began. The violence, compounded by a strict blockade, has created severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has pressed forward with its military campaign. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has also intervened, issuing a legally binding order for Israel to halt its offensive, citing potential violations of the Genocide Convention. Yet, the situation remains dire, with Israel facing accusations of genocide in Gaza.
Lebanon: mass displacement and rising casualties
Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its strikes on Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions. The Lebanese government, however, is grappling with the human toll of the conflict.
According to Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, nearly half a million people have been displaced within the country due to the escalating violence. Before the recent escalation, Lebanon was already struggling with 110,000 displaced people; now, the figure has soared dramatically, compounding the country’s ongoing economic and political challenges.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Tuesday while attending the UN General Assembly, Bou Habib expressed his “disappointment” over U.S. President Joe Biden’s speech at the UN, saying it was “neither strong nor promising and will not solve this problem.” However, he held out hope, adding, “Lebanon cannot end the fighting alone and needs America’s help, despite past disappointments.” He stressed that the US is “the only country that can truly make a difference in the Middle East and with regard to Lebanon.”
The strikes have resulted in over 560 fatalities, including 95 women and 50 children, with more than 1,800 others wounded, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad.
[Photo: Relatives of victims of the Israeli army’s attacks on the Al-Wasifi family home near Al-Ahli Club on Nuseirat refugee camp mourn at the morgue of Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza City 24 09, 2024. Photojournalist: Moiz Salhi/ AA]
