THE GAZA STRIP CONFLICT
Since October 7th, we have been witnesses to the atrocities of the humanitarian crisis and genocide in Gaza.
Over 32,000 Palestinian people have been killed, and another 74,000 reportedly injured to date. About 70 per cent of those killed are reported to be women and children. The population of Gaza consists of 2.3 million people, a quarter (576,000 Palestinians) whom are on the brink of famine according to officials from the U.N. humanitarian office, and all of whom are facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse, and civil order breaking down. Food scarcity is catastrophic in the north of the Gaza Strip, imminent famine looms in the rest of the Strip as well. To make sense of a seemingly incomprehensible genocide, we cross-referenced open-source data from geo-spatial satellite imaging, academic journals, social media, and humanitarian aid agencies to assess the conditions of conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Research Intent: Understanding the conditions of conflict in the Gaza Strip with open-source data.
Our area of research is the Gaza Strip, due to the territory’s severe status as a complex emergency. The United Nations defines a complex emergency or crisis as resulting from a “total or considerable breakdown of authority.” The conflict in the Gaza strip has escalated at an alarming rate since the attacks in October 2023, and the situation continues to worsen.
Examination– Overview of the Gaza Strip:
ATTACKS ON RESOURCES
Bombings in the Gaza Strip before October 2023:
Agricultural decline in the past 5 years can be traced from NDVI satellite imagery in cropland areas, revealing that white phosphorus munitions, herbicidal weapons, and razed lands by heavy machinery have taken the livelihoods of Gazan farmers. Further, water scarcity issues have led to a steep decline in the existing agricultural sector, including greenhouses.
The pervasive damage to 42.6 percent of agricultural land in Gaza includes, trees, greenhouses, and other food production infrastructure that will take many, many years to repair.
Electricity supply cuts have been in the Gaza Strip, which can be traced from 2021-present day via satellite imaging of Night Time Light:
TERROR ON THE GAZA STRIP
After the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, the people of Gaza have been have had nowhere safe to go, displacing over 1.7 million people. Over 70 per cent of the homes in Gaza have been either destroyed or damaged. Mass confusion among civilians amplified, with borders closed and misinformation spread from Israeli defence forces:
There are nearly 1.7 million refugees in the Gaza Strip, according to UNWRA, with refugee camps far exceeding their capacities to shelter displaced people, many of whom are children without parents. 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced to the most densely populated Rafah refugee camp, where conditions continue to worsen.
The majority of humanitarian aid has been blocked from crossing as trucks carrying aid are unable to enter the Gaza Strip.
According to WHO, “Without a significant and immediate increase in deliveries of food, water and other essential supplies, conditions will continue deteriorating. Virtually all households are already skipping meals every day and adults are reducing their meals so that children can eat. The current situation will have long-term effects on the lives and health of thousands. ”
200 tonnes of food aid arrived in Gaza by sea on the Spanish ‘Open Arms’ vessel, made possible with help from Cyprus, Jordan and UAE
23 millions tonnes of rubble and un-exploded weapons remain scattered across the enclave of the Gaza Strip
In response to the war crimes of Israeli forces within Gaza, we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine by calling out the serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
- Violations of International Humanitarian Law
- Intentional Deprivation of Services Critical for the Survival of the Population
- Arbitrary Denial and Restrictions of Humanitarian Aid
Peace and Liberation… Ceasefire !
