Israel’s massacre of Gazans continues in new year
In 2023, the world witnessed many significant events that became front-page news. India passed China as the world’s most populous country, Azerbaijan seized Nagorno-Karabakh region, global temperatures shattered records, a strong earthquake in Turkey and Syria killed more than 67,000 people, and Iran and Saudi Arabia restored their relations after seven years. But the most important event that has shocked people around the world is Israel’s ongoing massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip which has inflamed anti-Israel sentiments across the globe.
Many countries which have for decades supported the Israeli regime are now shocked by the extent of the regime’s barbaric acts in the Palestinian territory.
Since the early days of October, when the Israeli regime began its onslaught on Gaza, cities across the world have also been the scene of angry protests against Israel’s massacre of civilians in Gaza.
There have been many international efforts to put an end to the crisis but the Israeli regime has so far snubbed international calls for a cease-fire, a position backed by its ally the United States.
Steadfast support from Washington has helped Israeli leaders shrug off international concern about the humanitarian crisis which is worsening in the Gaza Strip.
Heavy bombardment, and a ground invasion launched three weeks into the war, have reduced vast areas of Gaza to a ruined wasteland and killed at least 21,800 people, mostly women and children, and thousands more buried under the rubble, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.
The world has watched in horror as the long-running conflict exploded into the bloodiest ever Gaza war after Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on October 7 that left about 1,200 people dead.
The surprise attack blindsided and infuriated Israel and sparked a devastating military response.
The scale of death and suffering inside Gaza has isolated Israel internationally, with even allies such as the UK now calling for a “sustainable cease-fire”.
As heavy combat raged on, 85 percent of besieged Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the UN, which warns of the growing risk of hunger and disease as desperate families shelter in makeshift tents against the winter cold.
Over 56,000 people have been injured at a time when most Gaza hospitals are either out of service or damaged and overwhelmed.
The Israeli army says 172 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the “epic human suffering” and “collective punishment” of Palestinian civilians.
Inside Gaza, Palestinian families – many pushed into the territory’s far south as the battlefront draws ever closer – are praying for a respite from the war.
“We were hoping that 2024 would arrive under better auspices and that we would be able to celebrate the new year at home with our families,” said Mahmoud Abou Shahma, 33, in a camp in Rafah near Egypt.
“We hope that the war will end and that we will be able to return to our homes and live in peace.”
Meanwhile, at least 129 Israeli captives are still believed held in Gaza after more than 100 were released in a prisoner swap and week-long truce in late November.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the war will last for “many months”.
Netanyahu stressed that the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated and the captives are returned.
International mediators have continued efforts toward a new pause in fighting.
Israel’s crimes in Gaza have also provoked reactions by the resistance movements in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, which have launched attacks against Israel.