Gaza in 2024: The Bitter Harvest

6th December 2024

3 minutes read

The year 2024 encapsulates the tragic chapters of Gaza’s story, scattering remnants of life beneath crushing rubble, drowning tents, and drying tears in weary eyes.

As the year nears its end, suffering and death persist, while hearts cling to the hope of a truce to end an Israeli war ongoing since October 7, 2023.

Gaza War: Bombings in Various Areas and Talks in Cairo
Permanent Occupation of the Sector, Alteration of Its Map, and Construction of Military Bases: Israel’s Secret Plans for Gaza

Frozen Negotiations

Throughout the year, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas yielded no tangible outcomes, with mutual accusations dominating. Despite persistent mediator efforts, significant breakthroughs remained elusive.

Mediations supported by the U.S. cycled between Cairo and Doha, seeking either an end to the war or at least a temporary ceasefire for prisoner exchanges and breathing room for Gaza.

Israel and Hamas accused each other of derailing potential ceasefire agreements at the last moment, leading mediators to express frustration over both sides’ lack of cooperation. Qatar suspended its mediation until a display of seriousness emerged.

The Rafah Invasion

Before the May 6 invasion, Rafah in southern Gaza served as a refuge for 1.4 million Palestinians fleeing relentless Israeli bombardment, especially in the north.

Ignoring international warnings about the catastrophic consequences, the Israeli army launched a devastating offensive, reducing Rafah to rubble and causing a humanitarian crisis verging on famine.

Sultan and Nawasir Camps

As the invasion unfolded, displaced individuals in Rafah’s Tel Sultan camp faced tragedy on May 27, as Israeli airstrikes incinerated tents and burned faces. The attack killed dozens, injuring 249, mostly women and children, drawing widespread international condemnation.

Civil Defense Supply Director Mohammed Al-Mughir described charred bodies and horrifying scenes, blaming weapons that produce temperatures exceeding 7,000°C, capable of melting human flesh.

War Expands to Lebanon

On September 17, the conflict spilled into Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and causing hundreds of casualties. The escalation peaked with an Israeli attack killing Hassan Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders.

After clashes in southern Lebanon, a U.S.-brokered ceasefire restored a fragile calm.

The Siege on Northern Gaza

On October 6, Israel tightened its siege on northern Gaza, launching an offensive to “cleanse” the area of remaining Hamas fighters. Palestinians likened it to a “real-life horror movie.”

A November UN-backed report warned of looming famine in northern Gaza amid relentless bombardments and an almost complete halt to humanitarian aid.

Assassination of Yahya Sinwar

The death of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader and architect of the 2023 attack, dealt a significant blow to the movement, which had also lost former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Israel confirmed Sinwar’s death on October 17, followed by official announcements by PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant.

ICC Arrest Warrants

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Galant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war and deliberate attacks on civilians.