Israel's relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip has been described as one of the most destructive military campaigns in history, as experts warn of a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged enclave.
According to the latest figures from the Gaza health ministry, at least 19,895 Palestinians have been killed and more than 55,000 injured since Israel launched its operation on November 14, 2023. The majority of the casualties are civilians, including over 5,000 children and 3,000 women.
The Israeli army says it has targeted more than 4,000 "terrorist" sites in Gaza, including rocket launchers, tunnels, command centers, weapons depots, and residential buildings. It claims to have killed more than 1,000 "militants" and destroyed most of Hamas's rocket arsenal.
However, human rights groups and international observers have accused Israel of violating the laws of war and committing war crimes, as it has indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas, schools, hospitals, mosques, media offices, and UN facilities.
The UN estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the violence, with many seeking shelter in UN-run schools that have also come under fire. The UN says it is facing a "dire" situation, as it struggles to provide food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to the affected population.
The UN Security Council, the Arab League, the European Union, and several countries, including the US, have called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, urging both sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
However, Israel has rejected any truce proposals, saying it will continue its operation until it achieves its objectives of restoring security and deterrence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "act aggressively and responsibly until the mission is completed".
Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza, has also refused to stop firing rockets into Israel, saying it will only accept a cease-fire that includes an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the opening of border crossings, and the protection of Palestinian rights in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The rocket attacks have killed 12 people in Israel, including two soldiers and a child, and injured more than 300. The Israeli army says it has intercepted more than 90% of the rockets with its Iron Dome defense system.
The conflict, which is the fourth major escalation between Israel and Hamas since 2008, has also sparked protests and clashes in the occupied Palestinian territories and across the world, as millions of people have expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians and condemned Israel's aggression.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the situation is "spiraling out of control" and that the region is "on the brink of a full-scale war". He has urged both parties to "stop the fire immediately" and to resume dialogue and negotiations for a lasting and peaceful solution.
