Israel-Gaza: the horror deepens

The Israeli assault on Gaza has intensified. As of 31 October, available reports of Palestinians killed were over 8,500. Round-the-clock air strikes have now been accompanied by incursions by Israeli troops and tanks. Gaza also suffered a communications blackout on 27-28 October.

The UN has reported raids on aid stores, as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Supplies of basic necessities such as fuel and food are scarce. Aid allowed into Gaza from Egypt, and provided by other countries and international institutions including the US, UK, and EU, has barely made a dent in the problem.

Pressed by the big powers, Israel says it has established a “humanitarian zone” near Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, but has given few precise details. Its insistence that civilians should flee to the south presents Gazans with a practical impossibility; the movement of that many people in such a densely-populated area is simply not feasible, especially given damage to roads.

Many Palestinians fear that mass displacement to the south will presage an Israeli attempt to permanently expel the Gazan population into Egypt. Israel says not, and Egypt says it would resist; but as of now the Israeli government seems to have no workable endgame, even a reactionary one, to its revenge-war.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have continued their reactionary agenda by firing barrages of rockets at civilian targets in Israel. Those have caused some injuries and damage to property, though no casualties so far.

There have also been clashes between Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based Islamist paramilitary party (like Hamas, backed by Iran) and Israel on the Lebanese border. The risk of outright war breaking out on the Israel-Lebanon border, in the West Bank, or between Israel and Iran, remains.

Humanitarian pause

Many Western governments have now shifted to advocating, if not a straightforward ceasefire, then at least “humanitarian pauses” in the bombing to allow increased provision of aid. The US, whilst remaining Israel’s staunchest western ally, has also sent signals distancing itself from Israel’s actions. Lt. General James Glynn, a three-star general with the US Marine Corps, visited Israel to discuss its plans. Following his visit, fellow USMC general Eric Smith told the press, “What is, has, or will unfold in Gaza is purely an Israeli decision.”

Violent attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, from both armed settlers and Israeli security forces, continue to increase. Far-right Israelis have also carried out attacks on Palestinian citizens of Israel, including at Netanya Academic College, where a far-right mob attacked Arab students in their dorms. The Israeli government has also proposed a bill that would give police greater powers to break up demonstrations, including via the use of live rounds where protests are blocking roads.

Stop the war! Israel has the right to defend itself, but not to raze Gaza. Ceasefire; end the siege; free the hostages. For peace, two states, equal rights. For workers’ unity on a programme of mutual recognition of rights.