The genocide in Palestine has led to extensive humanitarian crises, exacerbated by recurring aggression, targeted destruction of vital infrastructure, and to highlight the most, the violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The genocide movement by Israel puts Palestine in a state where humanity is destroyed and neglected. There have been warnings and calls regarding this action, yet most so-called ‘humans’ choose to be silent and blind.
According to The Ethnic Cleansing by Ilan Pappe, the occupation of Israel in the land of Palestine took place since the late 18th century, this historical timeline will help:
- 1880’s-1897: The Foundation of Zionism
The arrival of Zionist immigrants to establish Jewish in Palestine despite the land being a predominantly Arab population.
- 1917: The Balfour Declaration
Britain issues the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, despite the Arab majority population.
- 1920-1947: British Mandate Period
Britain divided the mandate territory, separating Transjordan (modern Jordan) from Palestine which increased Jewish immigration and led to The Great Arab Revolt as a resistance to the policies.
- 1947: UN Partition Plan
The United Nations proposes the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international zone.
- 1948: Nakba (The Catastrophe)
- May 14, 1948: The State of Israel is declared.
- May 15, 1948: Zionist forces implement “Plan Dalet”, forcibly expelling Palestinians from their villages to create a Jewish majority. Approximately 700,000 Palestinians face mass displacement, violence, and the loss of their homeland because of this Zionist. Since then, the situation has escalated through multiple conflicts, leading to further displacement and humanitarian concerns.
- Post 1949-now: Systematic Dispossession
Through the destructing of villages and expropriation of properties, Israeli not only violated the settlement but also sought to erase the physical and cultural presence of Palestinians.
The aggression has evolved significantly over the decades, with notable developments continuing today. Below is the timeline that happens in 2023–2024:
- October 2023: The Beginning and Initial Escalation
- October 7: Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, marking it as a response to decades of occupation and oppression.
- October 8-9: Israel responds with an intense bombing and starts a ‘complete siege’ on Gaza.
- October 17: Israel destroys Al Ahli Al Arabi Hospital, which is known to all of us that the hospital is supposed to be a haven for those seeking healing.
- December 2023: Ground Assault Intensify
Israeli forces initiated a ground assault on central Gaza, causing further displacement among Palestinians.
- January-March 2024: Humanitarian Conflict and Call for Ceasefire
The relentless attacks persist resulting in a demanding ceasefire from the United Nations (UN) on March 25 yet Israel didn’t listen. It even causes Gaza’s death toll to reach 30.000 people.
- April 2024: Escalation and Demonstration
Humanitarian organizations reported significant casualties and displacement among the Palestinian population whilst several protests were done across the globe to voice justice for Palestine. On the other hand, Iran also decided to support Palestine by delivering a direct attack on Israel.
- September 2024: Escalation to Lebanon
Israel announced a ground operation after killing Hezbollah leader and conducting an unprecedented raid in Beirut, further expanding the regional conflict.
- December 2024: Continuing War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces intentions to address Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, following military actions against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria.
According to the combined data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli authorities, and Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) as of December 3rd, 2024, approximately 44,502 Palestinians have been killed and 105,454 wounded since Zionist oppression began in October 2023.
Picture 1 : Number of Palestinian and Israeli fatalities and injuries caused by the war between Hamas and Israel since October 7, 2023 (Statistica)
Recent conflicts include Israel’s direct threats and attacks on healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals. Notably, threats to destroy critical facilities like Al-Shifa Hospital and others violate the principles of IHL, which voice the protection of civilians and medical institutions during conflict. A quote from IHL, Article 18 from the Geneva Convention:
“Medical facilities must not be targeted during conflicts. These acts constitute clear violations of international law’
Here are some healthcare facilities or hospitals in Palestine that collapsed due to Israel’s no-warning and inhumane barbarity missiles:
- Al Ahli Al Arabi Hospital
Death toll from the attack reached up to 471 people
- Al Quds Hospital
It is reported about 21 people were injured due to shattered glass and debris
- Indonesian Hospital
Death toll from the attack reached up to 12 people
There are various reasons Israel targets these facilities, one of them is the explosion was attributed to a Hamas rocket launch failure then they changed the answer to an attack by Palestinian Islamic Jihad was to blame. Israel’s labile reason fell to a mindless false acquisition since the Islamic Jihad protested that the scale of the blast was beyond the militant group’s capacity.
Since targeting healthcare is a violation of IHL, other IHL core principles that Israel’s military has torn are:
- Indiscriminate and Disproportionate Attacks
Parties to conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants. Civilian objects (e.g., hospitals, and schools) must not be attacked and must not cause excessive harm. Clearly in this situation, Israel crossed the line.
- Use of White Phosphorus in Civilian Areas
It is prohibited due to its indiscriminate nature and severe health consequences. It is considered that Israeli forces use this material weapon in civilian areas. White phosphorus is a substance that could burn densely inhabited neighborhoods horribly and severely when it comes into touch with oxygen. Burns up to 10% of the human body are frequently lethal, and white phosphorus can burn all the way down to the bone.
- Forced Displacement
Forcing civilians to evacuate conflict zones without adequate guarantees of safety (e.g., mass displacements in Rafah and Khan Younis).
- Denial of Humanitarian Access
The blockade on Gaza severely restricted the flow of essential goods, such as food, medicine, and fuel, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and leaving countless civilians in desperate need.
As we all know, the oppression has not yet ended. Moreover, the use of weapons by Israel has become controversial due to violations of the regulations on weapon usage during wartime, one of which is the use of white phosphorus bombs in Gaza. In its ongoing attacks, Israel has utilized various types of firearms and bombs, with support from several countries, such as the United States, Germany, and Italy.
Israel has used various types of white phosphorus bombs in its attacks on Gaza during several military operations, particularly during Operation Cast Lead (2008–2009) and Operation Protective Edge (2014), continuing through its attack on Gaza on October 11, 2023. The white phosphorus weapons used by the Israeli military include munitions such as white phosphorus projectiles launched from artillery or fighter jets, containing white phosphorus as the fuel.
Picture : White phosphorus shells fired by artillery fell on the Gaza city port on October 11, 2023.
According to several related journal articles, here is a list of some of the bombs white phosphorus used by Israel in its attacks on Gaza:
- M825A1:
The M825A1 is one type of white phosphorus bomb used by the Israeli military during the conflict in Gaza. This munition is a type of white phosphorus artillery shell used by artillery forces to create smoke screens or mark targets. In several reports, this bomb was used in attacks on heavily populated areas. The artillery projectile contains white phosphorus and is designed to create smoke or serve as a target marker. However, when the bomb ignites, the white phosphorus releases an extremely hot flame. - M110/M107 Artillery Shells:
The M110 and M107 are types of large artillery munitions that also contain white phosphorus, which ignites upon exposure to air, producing intense heat that can burn through clothing and human tissue. In the context of attacks on Gaza, the M110 has often been reported as being used in heavily populated areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. - GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB):
The GBU-39 is a type of small-sized bomb that can be launched from fighter jets. In some reports, this bomb has been reported to contain white phosphorus as part of its fuel, used for target marking or creating incendiary effects.
- Phosphorous Bombs from Aircraft (Air-to-Ground):
In addition to the GBU-39, there are also ATG bombs, which are similarly launched from fighter jets. These bombs are typically used to create incendiary effects on the ground or to generate smoke screens for military forces. These white phosphorus air bombs are designed to burn large areas, and when used in densely populated areas, they pose a significant risk to civilian safety.
The effect can cause dermal exposure such as yellowed color burning skin. It can also cause irritation of the eye (blepharospasm and photophobia) if inhaled. And it also can cause nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular collapse, renal and hepatic damage, unconsciousness, and phossy jaw.
Palestinian continues to suffers from human rights. This is through denying their political, civil and socio-economic freedom, their right to political self-determination, and full sovereignty over their land and resources. These violations not only posing threat to the continued humanitarian suffering, but also one of the leading causes of the climate crisis and environmental destruction in the area.
Carbon emissions have been identified as among the major leading causes of climate change globally. A new calculation suggests that during the first 60 days of the ongoing oppression, the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are estimated to be about 281,000 metric tons, which is roughly equivalent to burning 150,000 tons of coal. Of the total emission, as high as 99% of it is said to be due to Israeli military activities such as air strikes and ground incursions. Also, about half of these emissions are attributed to supply flights of American cargo aircraft supplying arms to Israel.
The consequences are:
- Water and Food Crisis: Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been severely impaired by the recent military assaults resulting in a worsening of the already critical shortage of clean water and food. This has made them dream out their basic humanitarian needs, thus resulting in a humanitarian crisis in their homes.
- Changes in Rainfall Patterns: Current data also shows that through its climate models, lower levels of rainfall could by 2050 be as low as 80% of present levels; and also the temperature may rise by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2055. These changes threaten the production of crops and water leading to worse-off the population’s challenges.
- Pollution and Environmental Disasters: Concerning weapons, specific weaponry like white phosphorus bombs, not only brings humanitarian problems of the day once used but causes pollution of land and water resources for years. The environmental degradation done by these firms is a great threat to the public health of that area and the ecosystem.
Rafah and Khan Younis are two areas in southern Gaza that frequently become hotspots of intense conflict due to their proximity to the borders of Egypt and Israel. Several major attacks have occurred here, both carried out by Israel as part of military operations, as well as rocket attacks or military activities from Palestinian armed groups. These attacks generally result in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, posing a major risk to civilians caught in the crossfire between both sides.
The latest news reported by the Qatari state-owned news outlet Al-Jazeera reveals that Israel has issued an evacuation order for 250,000 people in Khan Younis, Gaza. This action has hindered the efforts of the United Nations (UN) to send more humanitarian aid to the Gaza region. This information was directly conveyed by the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Picture : Palestinian residents, who fled from the eastern part of Khan Younis after being ordered by Israeli soldiers to evacuate their neighborhoods, drove vehicles loaded with belongings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on July 2, 2024.
Recently, the Israeli military has issued warnings urging residents in several neighborhoods of Khan Younis to evacuate for their safety, directing them to areas further south. This has turned Khan Younis into a grim city, with limited access to clean water or sanitation. People are sleeping in open areas, and humanitarian workers have largely ceased distributing water and flour due to the intensity of the fighting and Israel airstrikes.
Picture : Palestinians mourned the death of their relatives on Monday after they were killed in Khan Younis.
More than 15,500 people have been killed since Israeli forces launched their retaliatory assault, according to Gaza health officials. The war has caused nearly 80 percent of Gaza’s population, or about 1.8 million people, to be displaced. On Monday, 65 people were killed in the southern city of Khan Younis, which is besieged by Israel, according to medical sources, as Israeli forces targeted hospitals, ambulances, and schools where thousands of civilians were seeking shelter. In its military offensive, Israel has killed at least 15,890 people in Gaza, with 70% of the casualties being women and children, according to the health ministry controlled by Hamas in Gaza.
The brutal attack on Rafah demonstrates Israel’s increasingly aggressive actions. The Israeli assault, deemed especially brutal, involved bombs hitting refugee tents in an area designated as a “safe zone”. Tragically, the attack occurred at night, when most of the refugees were preparing to sleep.
Picture : Smoke was still rising from the destroyed refugee camp following the Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
The attack caused a devastating number of casualties. In addition to those killed by the bomb explosions, the majority of the victims died from being burned by the rapidly spreading fires in the camp. This heartbreaking tragedy adds to the growing list of Palestinian civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the total death toll reaching 36,050 Palestinians by May 27, 2024, while 81,026 others have been injured.
Still unsatisfied with the previous attack, Israel continued its assault on Rafah on May 7, 2024, disregarding the warnings received from various countries. This worsened the fate of the refugees, as Israeli forces closed the Rafah border gate, which borders Egypt. The Rafah crossing is the only access point for humanitarian aid to reach the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel’s brutal actions in Rafah have truly captured global attention, with the call for “All Eyes on Rafah” urging the world not to turn a blind eye to the genocide taking place in Gaza. People around the world are being asked to closely observe and monitor the situation in Rafah, which has become the last refuge for 1.4 million Gaza residents. The city is engulfed in flames and blood, with residents trapped, left to helplessly endure relentless suffering.
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Written by:
Calista Kamila Ramadhani (Member SCORP CIMSA UNAIR)
Nadya Susanto Putri (Member SCORP CIMSA UNAIR)
Denys Athiyah Nadira (RnD Team SCORP CIMSA 2024–2025)