(Nigerian Eye, 2021)
https://www.nigerianeye.com/2021/05/blaine-un-reacts-to-israel-palestine.html
By: Sofia Ranieri
The 2021 crisis in Palestine began on April 13th, 2021, when the Israeli authorities banned East Jerusalem residents from gathering at the Damascus Gate. Palestinians enjoy gathering, drinking coffee, and singing national songs in this area (Jundi 2021). The gate also has a history of violence throughout the years - in October 2015 Palestinians unsuccessfully tried to stab Israeli police multiple times near the Damascus Gate. Two watchtower checkpoints were also created to stop and search Palestinians attempting to enter the Old City. This ban caused Palestinians to protest nightly for access to the gate. Israel ignored these protests and limited the amount of people allowed at the Al Aqsa Mosque - the mosque considered to be the holiest place in which Jews are allowed to worship. On April 23, Palestinians began marching through the Damascus gate and while Israeli authorities attempted to stop the civilians gathering in the area; 100 people were injured during the clash. Hamas claimed that they would retaliate if the violence did not de-escalate. However, the clashes between protesters and Israeli forces continued for twelve days until the Israelis removed their ban on the Damascus Gate.
Clashes at the Damascus Gate
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-attacks-palestinians-at-damascus-gate/2234152
On May 7, another clash occurred when Israeli authorities stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque. Over 220 people were injured, the majority of which were Palestinians. Later, Israeli forces invaded the mosque on the holiest day of the Muslim Calender, May 10, with stun grenades and rubber bullets. Hamas retaliated by firing six rockets into Israel.
On May 10, ultra-nationalist Israel Jews began Jerusalem Day marches while Palestinians protested. The Israeli police responded, creating more clashes. Hamas then issued a warning for Israel to withdraw their police by 6pm. When Israel did not meet this request, Gaza fired 200 rockets at Israel. Israel responded by launching 130 strikes via fighter jets. During this dispute, 28 Palestinians were killed, ten of which were children.
The next day, Israel launched rockets at the north of Gaza killing two people. As the attacks continue on Gaza, the US called for a de-escalation of violence on both sides, America contributes $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel yearly; much of which was being used to attack Gaza at the time. The violence persisted despite this statement, with Israel continuing to assault Gaza.
On May 17, the United States blocked a possible statement by the United Nations that would condemn the violence in Gaza and called for a cease fire between warring parties (Donati 2021). The US deputy ambassador justified this by stating that the United States saw no possibility in which Hamas would agree. In the meantime, Joe Biden approved a $375 million weapons sale to Israel. Meanwhile in Israel, Palestinians went on strike and protested in response to the attacks on Gaza, because the attacks have caused major damage to Gaza, destroying residence buildings, libraries, and hospitals, leaving more than 41,000 Palestinians uprooted from their homes, the Israeli authorities also arrested many Palestinian protesters. Leading the Human Rights Watch stated that the attacks on Gaza are considered war crimes.
After 11 days of bombing, Israel and Hamas agreed on a cease fire at 2am on May 21. Joe Biden criticized the leaders for creating the truce, stating that the US “fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas and other Gaza based terrorist groups" (MEE Staff 2021).
Image of destruction in Gaza
Gaza Attack: Israel kills Islamic Jihad commander
Soon after the cease fire began, attacks occurred in the Al Aqsa Mosque after Palestinians gathered there to celebrate the cease fire. The Israeli police announced that they planned to “restore order” by incarcerating Palestinian citizens of Israel who have protested against Israel’s actions. The attacks on the mosque continued the following day, while Israeli police announced that about 1,550 Palestinians have been taken into custody. During the month of June in Gaza, all crossings were closed and the electricity was cut off. The school year ends early due to the destruction of schools. By the end of May, about 5,300 Palestinians had been imprisoned by Israeli authorities. The violence continues, with Israeli police refusing to stop arresting and clashing with Palestinians. After Gaza launched incendiary balloons over Israel, Israel responded by attacking Gaza with air raids on June 15 and 16. These were the first airstrikes in Gaza since the ceasefire went into effect (Liebermann 2021). Another set of air raids occurred from Israel on June 17 - there were no victims from either attack.
As of the time when this article was written, there has been no solution or truce between Gaza and Israel. This is unfortunate because the people living in Gaza are still suffering from the bombings and air raids; the electricity gets cut off daily for long periods of time because there is a lack of fuel for the Gaza power plant. In addition, 41,000 citizens in Gaza were displaced due to the bombings, around 200 thousand people do not have access to basic needs, and the country is suffering from the ongoing damage done by COVID-19. During the attacks on Gaza, many COVID-19 patients were neglected because the medical staff was focused on treating the people injured from the bombings. Refugee camps in Gaza are overcrowded and there is little if any protection from the virus.
At the beginning of May, 93,673 people out of Gaza’s 2 million population were vaccinated. Following the bombings, it is estimated that the number of Gaza’s positive cases increased by 30%. The residents in Gaza are living in constant fear of another attack from Israel. The United Nations is working to help Gaza recover and create an agreement between the two states. The UN Special Coordinator states the organisation's commitment to resolving the conflict and allowing Israel and Palestine to “live side-by-side in peace and solidarity” (UN News 2021).
Definitions
Jerusalem Day - a holiday created to celebrate the events that led to the reunification of Jerusalem. This day is celebrated with special prayers, pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and a general outpouring of gratitude to God for this miracle that the people of Israel will never take for granted (The Fellowship 2021).
Incendiary Balloons - helium balloons that often look like children's birthday party decorations, attached to explosives or devices that are pre-emptively lit on fire (Gold 2021).
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