Gaza was thrust into darkness, isolation, and violence on Saturday night as Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced the start of a long and difficult war against Hamas. In a televised press conference, Netanyahu declared that Israel was entering the “second stage” of the conflict and that the objective was to defeat the enemy. He referred to the war as Israel’s “second war of independence” and emphasized the need for a ground operation within the Gaza Strip.
As the Israeli military operations escalated, the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza faced communication and electricity disruptions. Emergency services struggled to respond to the increasing number of casualties caused by the airstrikes. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes targeted underground Hamas facilities, and exchanges of fire occurred on the northern border with Lebanon.
Reports from Gaza described overwhelmed hospitals, morgues on the verge of collapse, and terrified civilians unsure of where to seek shelter. The World Health Organization (WHO) called for a humanitarian ceasefire, highlighting the dire situation faced by healthcare workers and patients. The UN’s human rights chief also warned of potentially catastrophic consequences from large-scale ground operations.
Hamas claimed that about 7,700 Palestinians had been killed since the conflict began, while Israel reported tank movements and ongoing fighting in Gaza. The Israeli military targeted Hamas tunnels, also known as the “metro,” in its airstrikes.
As the situation deteriorated, concerned voices from around the world urged for a peaceful resolution and humanitarian assistance. However, with the blackout of communication and increasing casualties, the outlook remained bleak for the people of Gaza.
