Over a million Gazans displaced as Israel prepares for potential ground incursion

The United Nations reported on Sunday that over one million people in the Gaza Strip have been forced to flee their homes in the past week.

This mass displacement comes as Israel has been conducting sustained airstrikes and issued warnings of a possible ground assault targeting Hamas commanders.

Israel declared war on the Islamist group the previous Sunday, following a breach of the heavily fortified border by waves of fighters who caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with most casualties being civilians.

After seven days of relentless bombing aimed at those responsible for the initial attack, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and the Gaza Strip has witnessed at least 2,450 fatalities, primarily among ordinary Palestinians, according to the region’s health ministry.

While Israel seeks retribution for what it considers the worst attack in its history, the Arab League and African Union have raised concerns about the invasion potentially leading to a “genocide.”

There are also grave warnings about the security implications of deploying troops in the densely populated Gaza enclave.

Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, cautioned that the situation might spiral out of control if Israeli soldiers enter Gaza, emphasizing the need to prevent the ongoing attacks on Gaza’s citizens and civilians.

As the tensions escalate, the United States, which has expressed unwavering support for Israel, has dispatched two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent against further violence.

Amidst the crisis, the United States’ Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has undertaken a diplomatic effort to prevent a wider conflict in the volatile region. He has appealed to China to use its influence to ease tensions.

However, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, accused Israel of going beyond the scope of self-defense and called on Israel to cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has amassed thousands of troops and heavy weaponry in the southern desert, awaiting authorization for a potential ground offensive in northern Gaza.

Evacuation efforts are underway, with Palestinians in the northern part of Gaza being urged to move south to safety, while Israelis near the border have also relocated to more secure areas.

While the international community, including the UN and ICRC, criticizes Israel’s displacement requests and accuses it of collective punishment, the humanitarian crisis continues to intensify, with hospitals overwhelmed and critical infrastructure threatened.

Pope Francis has called for humanitarian corridors in Gaza, pleading for the protection of civilians, particularly children, the sick, and the elderly.

The situation has left Gazans trapped, with Israeli-controlled crossings closed and the Rafah border in the south sealed by Egypt.

The mood in Israel oscillates between grief, anger, and the desire to hold Hamas accountable, with concerns about the safety of around 120 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

Israel is also continuing its evacuation of southern towns near Gaza targeted in the initial attacks, relocating families to safer areas. Many Israelis have returned from around the world to be part of this latest chapter in Israel’s history.