Tensions between Israel and Palestine persist. On October 19, Israeli security forces clashed with Palestinian militants in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, where local militants fired on the Israeli side and detonated explosive devices.
Amid the escalating conflict, global mediation attempts are underway. On the 18th, visiting U.S. President Biden committed to providing $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank. He also informed Israel of his intentions to seek unprecedented support from the U.S. Congress.
However, October 17, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, vetoed a Russian resolution on humanitarian aid for Gaza, stating it did not condemn Hamas. She asserted that all member nations should condemn the actions of Hamas and call on the group to cease its relentless attacks on Israel. The next day, a resolution on the Israel-Palestine situation drafted by Brazil was also vetoed by the U.S., preventing its passage.
Earlier, on the 7th, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing numerous rockets at major cities like Tel Aviv. In retaliation, Israel cut off power and water supplies to the Gaza Strip that evening. The Gaza Strip is home to over 2 million people, with over 1.7 million of them being Palestinian refugees.
To access drinking water, Gaza residents began digging wells near the sea or relying on severely contaminated groundwater. Even before the escalation in conflict, the daily water supply per person in Gaza was only 83.1 liters, below the World Health Organization's minimum requirement of 100 liters per person per day.
With the intensification of hostilities, numerous injured from the Gaza Strip were rushed to hospitals. Gaza's hospitals are overflowing, with patient numbers exceeding capacity. In addition, many people sought shelter in hospitals, believing they offered protection against attacks. On the 17th morning, approximately 1,000 patients were admitted to the A-Ahli Arab Hospital, with about 3,000 people seeking refuge there.
Around 6:30 p.m. local time on the 17th, the A-Ahli Arab Hospital was bombed, resulting in hundreds of deaths. This attack was condemned by international organizations including the UN, World Health Organization, Arab League, and International Red Cross. Both Hamas and Israel claim the other was responsible for the attack.
This bombing sparked global protests. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators condemned Israel's actions, saying, "It's genocide, not war." On the 17th, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) headquarters in The Hague, calling on the court and the international community to act against Israel's alleged genocide of Palestinians.
The ICC is currently investigating alleged war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas since 2014, including the current conflict.
During his visit to Israel, President Biden stated that based on U.S. investigations, the explosion was caused by Hamas and had no connection with Israel. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilian lives during conflicts.
In response to Biden's humanitarian aid request, Israel stated it would not obstruct aid shipments from Egypt into Gaza, provided Hamas didn't receive any of the supplies. Israel later added that as long as its nationals held hostage were not returned, the blockade on aid entering Gaza from Israel would continue.
Biden added that Egypt had agreed to open the Rafah crossing, allowing 20 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in the coming days. According to a UN aid official, considering the situation in the Gaza Strip, at least 100 aid trucks are needed daily to alleviate the current crisis.
As of the 18th, Israel's blockade and aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip resulted in 3,478 Palestinian deaths and 12,065 injuries.
Egypt, the only country bordering the Gaza Strip besides Israel, has been storing aid supplies on its side of the border. Due to Israel's intense airstrikes, trucks have been unable to cross at the Rafah checkpoint. Egypt stated that Israel is not cooperating in transporting aid to Gaza or evacuating foreign nationals from the Rafah checkpoint.
The U.S. has also been pushing to open the Rafah crossing, allowing a small number of Gaza residents holding foreign passports, including hundreds of Palestinian-Americans, to leave. However, efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry conveyed Egypt's goal to restore the normal functioning of the Rafah crossing, allowing aid supplies to reach the Gaza Strip and ensuring safe passage for Palestinians seeking medical care or regular travel. But, like other Arab nations, Egypt has publicly opposed the influx of Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, as of October 17, 2023, Egypt has registered 390,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from 59 countries. Shoukry stated that while Egypt has integrated many refugees into its society, this has placed a significant economic burden on the country. He believes Egypt has "no reason to solely bear the additional influx of Gaza refugees."
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees predicts that since the outbreak of the conflict, over a million people in the Gaza region have been displaced. Egypt hopes other wealthier countries will share the responsibility and help these refugees.
Neighboring countries Egypt and Jordan are deeply concerned that the refugee crisis in Gaza might jeopardize their own development and security. On the 16th, Jordan declared that neither Jordan nor Egypt would accept refugees from Gaza.
For years, Israel has forcibly displaced Palestinians from their territories. During the 1948 war that led to Israel's establishment, 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee modern-day Israel. During the 1967 Middle East War, when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, another 300,000 Palestinians were forced to flee, with most escaping to Jordan.
Today, the number of Palestinian refugees and their descendants is nearing 6 million, with the majority residing in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and refugee camps and communities in Jordan. Israel has consistently refused to allow these refugees to return.
Egypt also remains highly concerned about Hamas and other Palestinian militants entering its territory and destabilizing the Sinai Peninsula. For years, the Egyptian military has combated Islamic extremist militants in Sinai, even accusing Hamas of supporting these militants. With the insurgency in Sinai mostly quelled and stability gradually returning, Egypt does not wish for a resurgence of conflict in the region.
