The ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has killed 33,137 Palestinians and brought Gaza to the brink of famine while causing extensive damage to infrastructure, with over half of all buildings affected. Here are some major events of the conflict.
JERUSALEM, April 7 (Xinhua) -- On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel launched a large-scale offensive in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas attack in southern Israel. Since then, the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has brought Gaza to the brink of famine while causing extensive damage to infrastructure, with over half of all buildings affected.
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza Strip has risen to 33,137, Gaza's health authorities said in a press statement on Saturday.
Here are some key events of conflict:
Oct. 7, 2023: Hamas gunmen launch a surprise attack on southern Israel. Heavy Israeli airstrikes attack densely populated areas in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares a state of war, pledging to release the hostages and "eliminate" Hamas.
Oct. 9, 2023: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announces a "total siege" on Gaza, cutting off the supply of food, water, medicine, electricity, and gas to its 2.4 million residents.
Oct. 27, 2023: Israel launches a ground offensive in northern Gaza.
Nov. 1, 2023: Egypt reopens the Rafah crossing, connecting Gaza to the Arab country, allowing limited access to about 7,000 foreign passport holders and individuals requiring urgent medical care. However, most Gazans are unable to leave due to the Israeli blockade and Egyptian reluctance to issue exit permits via the Rafah crossing.
Nov. 15, 2023: Israeli forces conduct a raid on al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, alleging collaboration with Hamas. Medical staff report civilian casualties, including premature babies, due to shortages of essential resources. Subsequently, Israeli troops target additional hospitals in northern Gaza, crippling medical operations.
Nov. 24, 2023: A ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar comes into effect, resulting in the release of approximately 100 hostages, including women, children, and foreigners, in exchange for the liberation of 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Dec. 1, 2023: The ceasefire collapses and hostilities resume.
Dec. 3, 2023: Israel announces the expansion of its ground assault to southern Gaza, previously considered a "safe zone," further escalating the humanitarian crisis.
Dec. 27, 2023: Israel launches a ground offensive in the central region of Gaza, killing dozens.
Jan. 26, 2024: The International Court of Justice in The Hague hears South Africa's case against Israel, acknowledging potential violations of the genocide convention and ordering preventive measures without mandating a ceasefire.
March 18, 2024: Israel launches a fresh assault on al-Shifa Hospital, resulting in hundreds of casualties and extensive damage. While Israel claims all casualties were militants, medical staff report civilian deaths.
March 25, 2024: The United Nations Security Council passes for the first time a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, after the United States, which had previously vetoed such resolutions, abstained. The decision has caused tensions between the two close allies.
"This resolution must be implemented," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "failure would be unforgivable."
April 1, 2024: Israel kills seven workers of international food charity World Central Kitchen during an airstrike in the Gaza Strip, sparking global condemnation and calls to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. Israel says the airstrikes were a result of "a misidentification."■
