The Israel-Hamas war: What does it look like in Palestine in the new year of 2024?

As the world celebrates the new year of 2024, the people of Palestine are still living under the shadow of war and occupation. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which erupted on 7 October 2023, has claimed the lives of more than 22,000 people and displaced over 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. The Israel-Hamas war has also caused widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave, where basic services such as water, electricity, health care and education are severely disrupted.

The Israel-Hamas war in the new year of 2024

The war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking about 250 hostages Israel responded with a massive aerial and ground offensive, aiming to destroy Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and free the hostages. Israel also declared that it would have “overall security responsibility” for Gaza “for an indefinite period” after the war.

The Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Comprehensive Overview

Despite several attempts to broker a ceasefire, the war has continued for nearly three months, with no end in sight. The hostilities have also spread to other areas, such as the West Bank, where Israeli forces and settlers have killed 248 Palestinians and injured 2,200 more. The Israel-Lebanon border, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Red Sea have also witnessed clashes and attacks related to the war.

The war has also sparked protests and solidarity movements across the world, especially in the Arab and Muslim countries, where many people have expressed their support for the Palestinian cause and condemned Israel’s actions. Some countries, such as Pakistan and Sharjah, have cancelled their New Year celebrations in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Others, such as Turkey and Qatar, have offered humanitarian and political assistance to the Palestinians.

Factors behind Israel’s Atrocities in Palestine

However, the international community has largely failed to intervene effectively to end the war and address the root causes of the conflict. The United Nations Security Council has been unable to adopt a resolution on the crisis, due to the veto power of the United States, which has backed Israel’s right to self-defense. The UN has also condemned the war crimes committed by Israel, such as the indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the siege of Gaza, and the destruction of cultural heritage.

The following table shows the comparison of casualties between Palestinians and Israelis as of 25 December 2023:

The Palestinian struggle and resistance

The new year of 2024 brings little hope for the people of Palestine, who face an uncertain and bleak future. The war has not only inflicted immense suffering and loss, but also deepened the political and social divisions among the Palestinians. Hamas, which controls Gaza, has gained popularity and legitimacy among its supporters for its resistance against Israel, while the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, has been weakened and marginalized for its perceived inability and unwillingness to defend the Palestinians.

What is Hamas? A Simple Guide to Palestine’s Liberation Group

The war has also exposed the failure of the peace process, which has been stalled for years, and the lack of a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two-state solution, which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, has been undermined by the expansion of Israeli settlements, the fragmentation of the Palestinian territories, and the lack of trust and dialogue between the parties. The one-state solution, which proposes a single democratic state for both Israelis and Palestinians, has been rejected by Israel, which fears losing its Jewish character and majority.

The Impact of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Leadership on Israel and the Palestinians

The new year of 2024 brings little hope for the people of Palestine, who face an uncertain and bleak future. The war has not only inflicted immense suffering and loss, but also deepened the political and social divisions among the Palestinians. Hamas, which controls Gaza, has gained popularity and legitimacy among its supporters for its resistance against Israel, while the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, has been weakened and marginalized for its perceived inability and unwillingness to defend the Palestinians.

The new year of 2024 also poses new challenges and opportunities for the Palestinians, who need to overcome their internal differences and unite their ranks, as well as to mobilize the international support and pressure for their rights and aspirations. The Palestinians also need to explore new ways of resistance and struggle, beyond the cycle of violence and retaliation, and to engage in a genuine dialogue and reconciliation with the Israelis, based on mutual respect and recognition.

Why has the US backed Israel consistently?

The hope for peace and justice

The new year of 2024 may not be a happy one for the Palestinians, but it can be a hopeful one, if they can seize the moment and change the course of history. The Palestinians have shown remarkable resilience and courage in the face of adversity, and have inspired many people around the world with their quest for freedom and justice. The Palestinians deserve to live in peace and dignity, in their own land and state, and to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as any other people. The new year of 2024 can be the year when this dream becomes a reality.