Gaza is facing a dire situation as the United Nations warns of a potential sewage-related health crisis, coinciding with International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings where Israel faces accusations of committing ‘atrocity crimes.’ Ongoing Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip have resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure.
The blockade continues to severely limit access to essential supplies, including food, water, medicine, and shelter. The UN reports dwindling stocks, leaving over 2 million people in desperate conditions, with some resorting to eating turtle meat due to acute food shortages. OCHA warns of potential health crises due to living near raw sewage as sanitation infrastructure is damaged.
The ICJ has held hearings regarding Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians, where South Africa accused Israel of ‘atrocity crimes, persecution, apartheid, and genocide’ in Gaza, while the United States defended Israel’s actions.
Incidents of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank are on the rise, with reports of torched farmlands and stabbings. Israel has released some Palestinian detainees from Gaza, who allege torture in Israeli facilities, while detention raids continue in the West Bank.
