Protests Erupt Across Middle East as Gaza Crisis Worsens
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets across the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The outrage was fueled by an explosion at Gaza’s Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, which Palestinian officials attributed to an Israeli airstrike and claimed killed 471 people. Israel and the U.S., however, insisted that the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by Islamist militants in Gaza.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Egypt agreed to reopen its border crossing with Gaza to allow aid to reach Palestinians, according to the U.S. President Joe Biden. The move comes as the enclave’s 2.3 million people face shortages of food, water, fuel, and other essentials due to the blockade and airstrikes by Israel.
Violent protests erupted in several countries, including the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia, as anger over the hospital explosion spread. Lebanese security forces clashed with demonstrators near the U.S. embassy in Beirut, firing tear gas and water cannons.
Amid concerns that the conflict could spread beyond Gaza, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed their worries about the situation. China emphasized the need for a ceasefire and preventing the war from expanding, while Russia engaged in discussions with Turkey over the matter.
The United Nations (UN) seeks to restore aid deliveries to Gaza to 100 trucks per day, the level before the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths informed the Security Council of this goal. During his visit to Israel, Biden pledged $100 million in U.S. assistance for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Israel maintained its stance of not allowing aid through its crossing with Gaza until Hamas released approximately 200 hostages seized during its cross-border attack earlier this month. The Israeli government’s advisor, Mark Negev, expressed concern about Hamas misappropriating aid intended for civilians.
Biden assured Israel of the United States’ commitment to its safety while urging Israelis not to be consumed by rage. He emphasized that the majority of Palestinians are not affiliated with Hamas and stressed the fundamental dignity of every human life.
The Gaza health ministry reported that 3,478 Palestinians have been killed and 12,065 injured in Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began on October 7th.
As the crisis continues to escalate, mass protests and international pressure mount for a resolution to the conflict and the provision of aid to the people of Gaza.