What's happened
Recent Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties, including women and children. The military claims these strikes target Hamas command centers, while humanitarian conditions worsen as displaced Palestinians seek refuge in schools. Concurrently, Israel's military operations extend into Lebanon, raising fears of prolonged conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in at least 51 deaths and numerous injuries, with strikes on schools and shelters housing displaced civilians. The military asserts these locations are being used by Hamas for military purposes, a claim that has been met with skepticism. Al Jazeera reports that the humanitarian situation is dire, with many civilians lacking basic necessities and facing deteriorating living conditions. The Independent highlights the international outcry over civilian casualties, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to international law. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of the situation, where military objectives clash with humanitarian imperatives.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in substantial Israeli casualties. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis, with many civilians displaced and seeking shelter in schools and other facilities.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is a UN agency that supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.