THE SITUATION OF PALESTINE

The situation in Gaza is dire and has been widely described by international organizations, legal experts, and human rights groups as a genocide or at risk of genocide, particularly in the context of Israel's ongoing military offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. Current Situation

1. Destruction and Mass Casualties *Over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with thousands more missing under rubble.

*More than 85,000 have been injured, many with life-altering wounds.

*Women and children account for more than 70% of the deaths, with over 100 children being killed daily at the height of the bombing. * Whole neighborhoods, like Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah, have been demolished, and 70-80% of the buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

2. Starvation and Famine as a Weapon

*Israel’s blockade has severely restricted food, water, and medical supplies.

*The UN warns of full-blown famine in northern Gaza, with 50,000+ children acutely malnourished.

*Humanitarian aid is intentionally obstructed, with aid workers—including UNRWA personnel—targeted.

3. Forced Displacement & Ethnic Cleansing+

*1.9 million Palestinians (85% of Gaza’s population) have been displaced, many multiple times.

*Israel has bombed areas it has deemed "safe," such as Rafah, on multiple occasions, ordering mass evacuations where there are no safe zones. *Reports suggest Israel aims to permanently expel Gazans into Egypt (a war crime under the Geneva Conventions).

4.0 Methodical Targeting of Infrastructure and Civilians *Besieged, bombed, and destroyed hospitals include Al-Shifa, Al-Ahli, and Nasser Hospital. *There have been numerous attacks on refugee camps, universities, mosques, and schools. *Israel has killed more than 200 journalists and over 500 healthcare workers.

5. International Legal Actions

*The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in January 2024 that Israel is "plausibly" committing genocide and ordered provisional measures to prevent it.

*The ICC is seeking arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

*South Africa, Nicaragua, and other nations have filed cases against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention.

6. Global Protests & Political Complicity

*Throughout the world, millions of people have demonstrated in support of Gaza and called for an end to arms sales to Israel and a ceasefire. *The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other nations veto UN ceasefire resolutions and continue to support and arm Israel

. 7. Is This a Genocide?

*Under the UN Genocide Convention (1948), genocide includes acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Evidence suggests Israel is committing:

*Killing members of the group (mass civilian deaths).

* Causing severe bodily harm (such as starvation and hospital bombings). *Deliberately inflicting conditions to bring about destruction (blockade, no aid).

*Preventing births (killing mothers, destroying maternity wards).

8. The Contribution Of Arab Countries To Gaza

The response of Arab countries to Israel’s war on Gaza has been a mix of diplomatic condemnations, limited humanitarian aid, and political inaction, falling short of meaningful intervention.

Diplomatic Efforts

Algeria and South Africa spearheaded the ICJ genocide case against Israel, while Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia issued strong condemnations but avoided concrete measures.

The Arab League and OIC held emergency meetings, condemning Israel but failing to unite on sanctions or economic pressure.

Aid for the Needy Egypt opened the Rafah crossing for limited aid but collaborated with Israel on border control, restricting Palestinian movement.

While the UAE sent medical supplies and field hospitals, Qatar mediated ceasefire talks and provided millions in aid. Political & Military Inaction

The U.A.E. and Bahrain upheld normalization agreements despite public outrage—no Arab state severed ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia paused U.S.-backed normalization talks but took no further action.

Beyond Hezbollah (Lebanon) and the Houthis (Yemen), no Arab military engaged Israel, despite public demands for intervention.

Public Pressure vs. Government neglect Mass protests across Arab capitals forced symbolic gestures, but leaders prioritized U.S. alliances and stability over Gaza. While rhetoric condemned Israel, actions were minimal, leaving Palestinians abandoned.

Ultimately, Arab regimes failed to match public solidarity with decisive steps, exposing a gap between official policies and popular demands for justice.

Conclusion-

Gaza is experiencing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe with clear indicators of genocide. Despite global outcry, Israel continues its assault with impunity, backed by Western powers. The world is witnessing one of the most intense killing campaigns of the 21st century, yet accountability remains elusive.