Quick summary:
• Israel carried out over 1,400 airstrikes on Gaza in December 2024, averaging more than 45 strikes daily.
• The airstrikes have devastated Gaza, where residents already suffer under famine conditions and endure a blockade preventing aid entry.
• Israeli forces targeted civilian areas, including homes, hospitals, and journalists, killing five Palestinian reporters near a hospital in late December.
• Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with infrastructure destroyed and civilians forced into “safe zones” that are frequently bombed.
• The U.S. provided at least $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel in the first year of the campaign and approved additional weapons sales, including bombs and fighter jets.
• Human rights groups accuse Israel of using U.S. weapons to commit war crimes in Gaza, and reports indicate the U.S. State Department dismissed over 500 claims of civilian harm caused by these weapons.
• Calls for accountability are growing as international pressure mounts to investigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis and halt military aid to Israel.
In December 2024, the Israeli military carried out more than 1,400 airstrikes on Gaza—an average of over 45 strikes per day—devastating an already besieged population suffering from famine and displacement due to Israel’s ongoing aid blockade. Despite international calls for ceasefire and accountability, the bombardment continued, with significant backing from the United States in the form of military aid and weapons sales.
The Israeli Air Force confirmed via social media that the strikes were conducted by fighter jets and drones throughout December, as Gaza’s residents faced harsh winter conditions in makeshift shelters. The military claimed that its targets were military sites, but human rights groups and journalists have documented numerous attacks on civilian areas, including homes, hospitals, schools, and shelters.
The sheer scale of the destruction has drawn comparisons to nuclear-level firepower. Within the first months of the assault, Israeli forces had already dropped the equivalent of several nuclear bombs on Gaza, a densely populated area roughly the size of Las Vegas.
Even as Israeli officials engaged in ceasefire negotiations, airstrikes continued. In one incident in late December, Israeli forces bombed a press van near a hospital, killing five Palestinian journalists. One of the journalists’ wives was giving birth at the hospital when the attack occurred.
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened as Israel’s blockade continues to prevent the entry of essential aid. The strikes have decimated infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and medical facilities, leaving civilians without access to basic necessities.
The ongoing assault has forced residents to take shelter in so-called “safe zones,” designated by Israeli forces. However, these zones have proven anything but safe. Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly targeted these areas, killing civilians seeking refuge.
Human rights organizations have condemned the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, accusing Israel of committing war crimes.
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Israeli officials have continued to insist on remaining in Gaza and have been accused of planning to violate the terms of any agreement. Media reports indicate that similar ceasefire violations have occurred in Lebanon, raising concerns about Israel’s willingness to honor peace agreements.
The failure to secure a ceasefire has left Gaza’s residents trapped in a cycle of violence, with little hope for relief.
The United States has played a significant role in enabling Israel’s military campaign. In the first year of Israel’s assault on Gaza, the U.S. provided at least $17.9 billion in military assistance. This figure is based only on publicly reported transfers, suggesting that the actual amount could be even higher.
The Biden administration has continued to push through massive weapons sales to Israel, including a $20 billion package that includes tank rounds, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), and fighter jets. In November, the administration approved a $680 million sale of thousands of small-diameter bombs to Israel.
According to human rights groups, many of these U.S.-supplied weapons have been used in attacks on civilian areas, contributing to war crimes in Gaza. The Washington Post reported in October that the U.S. State Department had dismissed over 500 reports of Israel using American-made weapons to kill civilians and cause unnecessary harm.
Human rights experts have documented numerous instances of what they describe as war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. These include the targeting of hospitals, schools, and civilian homes, as well as attacks on medical personnel and journalists.
Bombing hospitals and attacking civilians seeking refuge are clear violations of international humanitarian law. The targeting of journalists and medical workers further constitutes war crimes under international statutes.
Despite these violations, there has been little accountability for Israel’s actions. Human rights advocates have called for investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the potential war crimes committed by Israeli forces.
Human rights organizations continue to call on the U.S. government to halt military aid to Israel and investigate the use of American-made weapons in Gaza. They argue that continued impunity for these actions will only perpetuate the cycle of violence.
“This does not happen in a vacuum. The hypocrisy and complicity of Israel’s allies is allowing the social fabric of Gaza to be destroyed with impunity,” said Paula Gil, president of the Spanish chapter of Doctors Without Borders.
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