The Israel-Gaza conflict has exacted a devastating toll, with staggering casualties, mass displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Urgent action is needed to protect civilians, provide aid, and work towards a lasting peace
As the conflict in Gaza enters its 10th month, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes across the besieged territory, marking the brutality over the Gaza Strip. The ongoing violence continues to take a heavy toll on Gaza’s civilian population, raising international concerns about the deepening humanitarian crisis in the region.
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In such an alarming situation, Hamas’ position on the deal presented by US President Biden was flexible, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel should be allowed to resume military operations until the goals of a possible Gaza ceasefire agreement are achieved. The statement comes as talks are expected to resume on a US-proposed plan to end the nine-month conflict.
Five days after Hamas accepted a key part of the plan, two officials from the Palestinian militant group said they were now awaiting Israel’s response to their latest proposal.
Deadly Airstrikes Persist as Negotiations Resume
Israel carried out deadly airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, engaging in combat with Hamas’s fighters while simultaneously exchanging fire with Hezbollah militants across the Lebanese border. These military actions coincided with the first round of talks held in Doha by a delegation led by David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
A spokesman announced that Israeli negotiators would return to Doha next week to continue discussions, acknowledging that significant gaps remain between the parties. This development marks the first potential breakthrough since the one-week truce in November, during which 80 Israeli hostages were exchanged for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians. Hamas-run Gaza’s health ministry reported that 16 people were killed in a strike on a UNRWA-run school sheltering displaced individuals in Nuseirat, central Gaza. The Israeli military claimed its aircraft had targeted ‘terrorists’ operating in the vicinity of the Al-Jawni school. Additional casualties were reported, including 10 deaths in a separate airstrike on a house in Nuseirat refugee camp and four journalists working for local media outlets killed in overnight strikes.
Diplomatic Efforts Gain Momentum
The United States, alongside Qatar and Egypt, has been actively mediating talks between the conflicting parties. US officials have expressed optimism about the prospects of a deal, citing a ‘pretty significant opening’ for both sides. President Joe Biden had previously announced a pathway to a truce deal in May, which included an initial six-week truce, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza population centers, and the freeing of hostages by Palestinian militants.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP that new ideas from the group had been conveyed to the American side and subsequently passed on to Israel, emphasizing that ‘the ball is in the Israeli court.’ This development has raised hopes for progress in the negotiations, despite previous setbacks.
How has the conflict affected the mental health of civilians in Gaza?
The prolonged Israel-Gaza conflict has had a catastrophic impact on the mental health of civilians, particularly children, in Gaza:
Widespread Psychological Trauma
- At least 38,098 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict
- 13,000+ children have been casualties in Gaza
- 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced from their homes
- Widespread destruction of homes, schools, and infrastructure has left deep psychological scars
Mental Health Crisis Among Children
- UNICEF estimates that almost all children in Gaza need mental health and psychosocial support
- Children have experienced “compound trauma” with repeated exposure to violence, loss of loved ones, and lack of safety
- Symptoms include panic attacks, withdrawal, sleeping, and behavioral issues
Overwhelming Demand for Mental Health Services
- Even before the current crisis, Palestine had one of the highest rates of mental health issues in the region
- 543,000 children were already in need of mental health support before the conflict
- As the war continues, the number requiring mental health care is expected to grow exponentially
Challenges Delivering Vital Support
- 194 UNRWA staff have been killed, hampering aid delivery
- Damage to infrastructure and fuel shortages make it difficult to provide mental health services
- Vulnerable populations like women, elderly, and disabled face heightened risks with limited access to care
The mental health crisis in Gaza is of ‘unprecedented magnitude, requiring urgent, comprehensive humanitarian aid focused on evidence-based psychological interventions. Addressing the profound psychological toll on civilians, especially children, is essential to prevent long-lasting trauma and enable healing and recovery.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as War Continues
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in staggering casualties and displacement. According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 38,098 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel’s military offensive. The war has uprooted 90 percent of Gaza’s population, destroyed much of its housing and infrastructure, and left almost 500,000 people facing ‘catastrophic’ hunger, according to UN agencies.
Humanitarian Crisis
1.7 million Palestinians displaced (70% of Gaza’s population)
500,000+ facing “catastrophic” hunger
All students out of school
194 UNRWA staff killed, including 2 recently
UNRWA, the UN agency coordinating much of the aid delivered to Gaza, announced that two of its employees had been killed, bringing the total number of UNRWA staff casualties to 194 since the war began. This highlights the severe impact on humanitarian workers and the challenges in delivering aid to the affected population.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The conflict has spilled over into neighboring areas, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have exchanged cross-border fire almost daily since the Gaza war began, with attacks escalating over the past month. This has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could potentially draw in other actors, including Iran.
Recent incidents include Israeli forces downing a ‘suspicious aerial target’ and two “hostile aircraft” launched from Lebanon, as well as attacking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. An Israeli drone strike reportedly targeted a vehicle in eastern Lebanon, killing a Hezbollah official whom Israel claimed was part of the group’s air defense unit.
As the situation remains volatile, pressure mounts both internationally and domestically for a resolution to the conflict and the release of remaining hostages. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic efforts can overcome the entrenched positions of both sides and bring an end to the devastating war that has caused immense suffering and loss of life.
