Since October 7, 2023, the world has been focused on Palestine, witnessing a devastating conflict unfold. But Palestine, where is it exactly? Geographically, Palestine is located in the Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is comprised of two main areas: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This region has been at the heart of a long-standing and complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and recent events have escalated the situation to a critical point.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, Israeli forces have launched extensive military operations in Gaza, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, with approximately 70% being women and children, according to reports. Thousands more are feared missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Civilian infrastructure in Gaza has suffered immense damage, with over 70% reportedly destroyed. The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has stated that Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, including using starvation as a weapon, intentionally targeting civilians, sexual violence, torture, and attacks on medical facilities.
The Gaza Strip, a narrow territory bordering Egypt and Israel, is under a complete Israeli siege, leading to critical shortages of essential supplies for its 2.3 million Palestinian inhabitants. Water, food, and medicine are scarce, and the lack of electricity has crippled hospitals and sanitation systems. The UN CoI has accused Israel of systematically destroying Gaza’s healthcare system. Internally displaced Palestinians, now 9 out of 10 Gazans, are facing repeated evacuation orders from the Israeli military, seeking refuge in areas that lack basic necessities and are still subject to attacks. UNICEF reports that at least 87% of school buildings in Gaza have been damaged, including UNRWA schools used as shelters.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory suggests that Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza since October 7, citing statements from Israeli officials indicating genocidal intent. The UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices also found Israel’s actions in Gaza consistent with genocide. South Africa has brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged violations of the Genocide Convention. The ICJ has issued legally binding provisional measures, ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts, ensure its military does not commit such acts, prevent incitement to genocide, and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Further provisional measures were issued in March and May.
In the West Bank, also part of Palestine and bordering Israel and Jordan, violence has escalated since October 2023. Israeli settlers have carried out over 1,492 attacks against Palestinians, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and property damage, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports that Israeli forces sometimes collaborate with or acquiesce to these settler attacks. Armed Palestinians have also killed at least 16 Israelis, including soldiers. UN experts state that Israel seized more Palestinian land in 2023 than in any of the previous 30 years. There has been a rise in excessive force by Israeli forces, including airstrikes and violent tactics during arrests in refugee camps. OHCHR has also reported a significant increase in extrajudicial executions, mass detentions, enforced disappearances, and alleged torture of Palestinian detainees.
Recent developments show an intensification of the crisis. Since early October 2024, Israel has tightened its siege on northern Gaza, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Major crossings for aid have been closed, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In November, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Famine Review Committee warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza. The Israeli Parliament has also passed laws to ban UNRWA, further hindering aid efforts for Palestinian refugees. In the West Bank, Israeli forces have increased military operations. An airstrike in Tulkarem camp in October 2024 killed at least 18 Palestinians, marking the deadliest incident in the West Bank since 2005, according to OCHA records. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a Hamas leader, citing reasonable grounds to believe they bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Analysis of the situation indicates that Israel’s repeated use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas suggests a disregard for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and likely constitutes war crimes. The mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza may also amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The siege imposed on Gaza, depriving civilians of essential goods, could be considered collective punishment, a violation of IHL, and potentially intentional starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, which is a war crime and possibly a crime against humanity. This, coupled with statements from Israeli officials, may constitute acts of genocide, specifically deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to destroy a protected group.
Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have also perpetrated likely war crimes during their attacks on Israel, including indiscriminate rocket attacks violating international law. Since its formation in 1987, Hamas has refused to recognize Israel and has used hateful rhetoric against Israelis and Jews. Hamas has also been accused of abuses against Palestinians in Gaza. The use of human shields by Hamas could also constitute a war crime.
Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory, since 1967, including settlement construction, is considered illegal under international law. The ICJ has stated Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and must end. The UN General Assembly has demanded Israel end the occupation. The UN Special Rapporteur has determined that Israel’s policies constitute apartheid, a crime against humanity. Seizures of Palestinian land and property put communities at risk of forced evictions and displacement. The occupation also endangers Palestinian cultural existence and their right to self-determination.
The international community has struggled to effectively address the crisis and protect civilians, increasing the risk of further atrocities. The UN Security Council has faced difficulties in passing resolutions due to vetoes, particularly from the United States, which has a history of protecting Israel from UN action.
The risk assessment remains dire: ongoing bombardments and siege tactics likely constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity; continuous evacuation orders risk ethnic cleansing and genocide; violence and displacement are escalating in the West Bank; systematic discrimination and annexation of Palestinian land persist; and a lack of accountability perpetuates cycles of violence.
Necessary actions are critical. A permanent ceasefire, monitored by an independent international body, is urgently needed, and UNSC Resolution 2735 must be implemented. Israel must lift the siege of Gaza, and Hamas must release all hostages unconditionally. All states must halt arms exports to Israel and implement political and economic measures to ensure respect for international law and UNSC Resolution 2728. All parties must condemn hate speech and dehumanizing rhetoric. Governments must urge Israel to reverse legislation dismantling UNRWA. Israel must implement ICJ provisional measures, and its allies must ensure compliance. States should support the ICJ proceedings and the ICC’s independent mandate, ceasing any actions that impede their work. Israel should ratify the Rome Statute and cooperate with UN investigative mechanisms. Addressing the root causes of the conflict is crucial, including lifting the Gaza blockade, ending illegal settlements and apartheid policies, ending the occupation, and working towards a sustainable political solution based on international law and UN resolutions.
