Israeli forces detain director of Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital

Nov 23, 2023 ·

The article discusses the recent conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. It outlines the devastating consequences of the war, including the staggering death toll and destruction of property. The United Nations is leading the effort to broker a ceasefire between the two sides. However, the chance for a peaceful resolution is still uncertain.

The conflict began when Gaza-based militants launched hundreds of rockets at Israel on May 10th 2021. In response, Israel launched an air campaign against Hamas targets in the Gaza strip. This initial bombardment lasted 11 days. During this time, both sides continued to exchange airstrikes, resulting in a total death toll of over 250 people and more than 2000 injured.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and called for an "immediate de-escalation" and an end to hostilities. However, no cease-fire was officially agreed upon. As a result, the conflict continued until May 20th, when a de-facto truce was declared.

The devastating effects of the conflict have been felt by both sides. In Gaza, nearly 500,000 people have been left without electricity and clean water due to the damage caused by the airstrikes. The Israeli government has also reported that around 10,000 homes were destroyed. Furthermore, a number of businesses have closed as a result of the conflict.

The United Nations has taken a lead role in trying to bring about a permanent ceasefire. A 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire was agreed upon on May 21st, which was later extended to 4 weeks. Despite these efforts, the conflict has yet to be resolved and the ceasefire remains fragile. As such, it remains unclear what the future holds for the region.