Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, has become the epicenter of Israel’s latest military offensive. Overnight, the city was bombed approximately 30 times, transforming it into what on-the-ground reporters describe as an “uninhabitable wasteland.” Families who had only recently returned to their homes were once again forced to flee, carrying their belongings on foot, in vehicles, and on makeshift carts.
Hani Mahmoud, a reporter for Al-Jazeera, painted a grim picture of the devastation: “Eastern Khan Younis is becoming uninhabitable, turning gradually into a wasteland.” The bombardment, combined with shelling from tanks on the ground, has left the city’s infrastructure in ruins and its population in a state of constant displacement.
Ghazi Abu Daka, a resident of Khan Younis, has been displaced four times since the escalation of violence began. “Every day there is war. Every day there are rockets. There is no safe place in the eastern area. Now, we are displaced in the streets and don’t know where to go,” he said, holding his young son amidst the chaos.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical point. With each new wave of violence, the number of displaced families increases, adding to the already staggering humanitarian crisis. Aid organizations are struggling to provide relief, as the relentless bombings and ground operations make it nearly impossible to deliver essential supplies and services.
The destruction of homes, hospitals, and other infrastructure has left many without access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. The situation is further exacerbated by the overcrowding in temporary shelters, where the risk of disease outbreaks looms large. Richard Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, has reported alarming increases in cases of diarrhea, scabies, lice, and skin rashes due to the dire living conditions.
The United States has been a steadfast supporter of Israel’s military actions, providing billions of dollars in military aid each year. This support has continued despite widespread condemnation and evidence that Israel’s actions in Gaza may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
President Joe Biden’s administration has faced intense criticism for its unwavering support of Israel, with many accusing the U.S. of enabling the violence by supplying the weapons used in the conflict. In a joint statement on Thursday, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt announced a new round of mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but many remain skeptical of the U.S.’s role in brokering peace while simultaneously arming one side of the conflict.
Domestic protests against U.S. support for Israel have grown in intensity, with demonstrators calling for an arms embargo to pressure Israel into halting its military campaign. At a rally in Detroit, Michigan, protesters demanded that Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, commit to ending U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. Although Harris engaged with the protesters, her campaign later clarified that she does not support an arms embargo, further fueling the frustration of those demanding a change in U.S. policy.
Despite the announcement of renewed talks, many believe that the most effective action the U.S. could take to halt Israel’s military campaign would be to cut off weapons supplies. Jeremy Scahill, a journalist with Drop Site, echoed this sentiment, stating that the U.S. has the power to stop Israel’s “genocidal war” by simply ending its military aid.
However, the prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain. Previous negotiations were derailed after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, and the ongoing violence makes it difficult to envision a swift resolution to the conflict.
The Israeli Supreme Court is currently considering a petition by human rights groups to close the Sde Teiman military base and detention center, where reports of torture and abuse, including rape, have emerged. These allegations, if proven true, would add to the already extensive list of crimes for which Israel must answer.
“We welcome President Harris to Michigan and we hope that she hears Michigan’s very clear request that we stop sending bombs to kill people we love,” said Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement, at a recent press conference.
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