Israel facing mounting international pressure over assault on Gaza.
These are some recent articles I found on this topic which give some background to what
has been happening in Gazza in recent months.
The Journal – 18th December 2023
The story tells us that the UN Security Council is to vote today on a new resolution calling for
an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities” in Gaza. It goes on to remind us of the
Hamas attack on the 7th of October, when 1,139 people were killed in Israel and 250 hostages
taken.
It mentions the months of fierce bombardment of Gaza by Israel, and how the population
there have been displaced and are grappling with shortages of food, fuel, water and
medicine, along with the thousands of deaths and injuries and homes and buildings reduced
to rubble.
It mentions hospitals have been destroyed and it reports that Mike Ryan of the WHO, said
he had never seen anything like this before, the level of targeted, degradation of a complete
health system.
The Israeli Prime Minister was reported as saying that they will fight to the end despite
international pressure. There are still over 100 hostages in Gaza and their families want the
fighting to stop so they can come home.
Gaza has become hell on earth, while the world just watches.
The Journal – 18th December 2023, by Tom Clonan
Under the article heading “Voices”, Tom Clonan, security analyst says with both sides clearly
in breach of the Gevena Convention, now is the time for moral leadership.
The article gives an account of where we are since the horrific attack by Hamas on the 7th of
October. Here are some statistics from the article:
The IDF have engaged in ground operations for 46 days.
Palestinian authorities state over 18,000 deaths, including men, women and children were
killed and 50,000 civilians seriously injured. This includes 300 medical staff, and 70 media
workers killed.
Nearly 2 million people have been displaced, and no safe evacuation corridor was provided.
The principal victims of the war have been innocent Palestinians civilians – including over
10,000 children killed. The displaced population are showing signs of hunger and thirst.
The UN and aid agencies are warning of an apocalyptic loss of life through the continued
bombing, fighting, starvation and disease.
Israel sources estimate it will take at least another two months to conclude its operations in
Gaza.
The UN security council resolution calling for a ceasefire was vetoed by the USA.
In Tom’s opinion there is no cover or protection from IDF fire, and he states that some
commentators have begun to describe the situation there as – hell on earth. He finishes the
article by saying that what is happening in Gaza, is nothing short of genocide and every right
–thinking human being, should call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Conflict: Israel – Gaza Opinion piece
BBC podcast 14th December 2023 by Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief International Correspondent
It is day 68 in Gaza, and the author mentioned that there is torrential rain as people sleep
out in the open or are in flimsy tents, with heartbreaking images of children knee deep in
water.
The BBC North American senior correspondent, Anthony Zurcher was interviewed on the
podcast, and he discussed US foreign policy with the host. He said that the American
administration is trying to keep two wars in line and trying to shape things as they see fit.
Mr. Zucker said that the US are looking for a two-state solution but there is reluctance on
the Israeli side, even for the Palestinian authority to have a role. The US veto at the UN was
discussed and it was mentioned that the US over the decades, have been Israel’s biggest
defender, and President Biden has described himself as a Zionist.
He felt the European opinion was changing on the continuation of the war and US domestic
opinion, and President Biden is aware of this. He mentioned also many Americans support
the call for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and indeed also in Ukraine, though their main
concern is the domestic economy.
In Tom Cloonen’s most recent article in the Journal, 13th February 2024, he points out that
Israel’s brutal ground invasion of Gaza has lasted 108 days, the Israeli Defense Forces have
reportedly killed over 28,000 Palestinians and seriously wounded 70,000.
He asks the question what now for Rafah? As Israel prepares for an all-out assault on this
city. Rafah is the most southernmost city in Gaza right next to the Egypt border. Over 1.5
million people are trapped in the city, with nowhere safe to go.
My final thoughts
The response from some countries is starting to change and America and the UK has asked
Israel for restraint, yet they are continuing to supply weapons to them. Ireland and Spain
have spoken out against Israel and South Africa has taken them to court, but in the main,
the response from other countries and the EU has been disgraceful.
Already dozens of men, women and children have been killed in Rafah. The massacre of the
Palestinians by Israel must stop. When future generations look back, they will ask how you
could stand by and watch 12,000 children being slaughtered, at least the politicians can’t
claim they did not know what was going on.
In the meantime, we in Ireland, continue to play basketball matches and football matches
with Israel. The world sporting authorities have taken no action against Israel, unlike their
ban on Russia, and we can look forward to hearing Israel’s entry in the Eurovision next May,
a case of nothing to see here!
