The new year has brought no respite to the people of Gaza as the death toll continues to rise from Israel’s ground invasion and aerial bombardment. Over the past three months, at least 22,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, marking the highest loss since the Nakba in 1948. More than half of Gaza’s homes are destroyed or damaged, and the region faces shortages of electricity, cooking gas, and drinking water. With 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population internally displaced, the aid coming in is inadequate, exacerbating the pervasive grief.
Despite Israel rejecting calls for a ceasefire and expressing intentions to continue the war for “several more months,” the government announced a shift in military strategy. Thousands of Israeli troops are set to withdraw temporarily for “rest and training,” driven partly by the toll the war has taken on the Israeli economy. However, the true exhaustion and need for respite lie with Palestinian civilians enduring three months of violence.
Gaza is experiencing a public health tragedy, with displaced residents and overcrowded health facilities leading to a growing threat of infectious diseases. The World Health Organisation is deeply concerned, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and the immune-compromised. Pregnant women in Gaza face malnutrition and health complications, and over 40% of the population is at risk of famine. While some aid has been sent, the international community must apply renewed pressure on Israel to declare a ceasefire. The US, as Israel’s chief supporter, needs to recognize the unsustainable and unconscionable nature of the continued onslaught. In the absence of immediate action, concerted global efforts are essential to mitigate the healthcare disaster and address the looming threat of famine in Gaza.
