Gaza Update: "One of the Most Barbaric Moments in Human History" The "Humanitarian Pause"

Gaza Update: "One of the Most Barbaric Moments in Human History"

The "Humanitarian Pause"

On Sunday, June 16, the Israeli military announced a “tactical pause” in attacks along a 7.5-mile route (Salah al-Din Road from the Karem Shalom border crossing with Israel, north to the European Hospital in Khan Younis), starting on June 15 and continuing indefinitely.

This move was reported in the U.S. media as a “humanitarian” gesture by Israel. NPR stated that the Israeli military aimed to “increase the flow of aid to other parts of Gaza, including Khan Younis, Muwasi, and central Gaza.” The Associated Press suggested that the pause “could help address the overwhelming needs of Palestinians that have surged in recent weeks with Israel’s incursion into Rafah.”

However, this so-called “pause” is a superficial attempt to obscure the reality of Israel’s actions, which involve systematically starving the Palestinian people, destroying vital civilian infrastructure, and attempting to eliminate Palestinians in Gaza—essentially committing genocide. Notably, this maneuver was announced three days after a major UN report condemned Israel for “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity,” including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Here’s a glimpse of Israeli “humanitarianism” on the ground since the June 15 “pause” began:

One or two days later, Israel destroyed the Rafah crossing on the Egypt/Gaza border, which had been the most important entry point for humanitarian aid. Israel had seized the Rafah crossing on May 7, and it has been closed ever since. Now, not only is there no aid coming through, but the possibility of reopening it is even more remote.

On June 17, at least nine Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid trucks on the Salah al-Din Road—the very road named in the “pause.”

On June 21, Israeli tanks and artillery attacked refugee tents in al-Mawasi (also spelled “Muwasi”), killing 25 and wounding at least 50. Al-Mawasi, a desolate beach area, had been designated by Israel as a “humanitarian zone” for the one million people in the city of Rafah when the attack on Rafah began on May 6. It is now "home" to nearly one hundred thousand refugees. Al-Mawasi was supposed to be one of the areas that would "benefit" from the pause.

Also on June 21, just south of al-Mawasi, Israeli airstrikes hit near an International Red Cross compound, killing at least 22 refugees who were camped there for safety. Senior Red Cross official William Schomburg described three explosions rocking the compound, followed by a “flood of wounded people” seeking help. “There were piles of dead bodies, blood everywhere.” Schomburg emphasized that “Our office here in Rafah, like all of our buildings and facilities, is marked with the Red Cross emblem and is known by all parties.”

Humanitarian organizations report that the "pause" has resulted in little to no increase in urgently needed aid deliveries. On June 21, Richard Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Palestine, stated that “we did not see an impact on the humanitarian supplies coming in since that... unilateral announcement of this technical pause.” A UN representative added, “This has yet to translate into more aid reaching people in need.”

On the same day, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it had been unable to bring any medical supplies into Gaza since April. They cited the closure of the Rafah border crossing following Israel’s offensive in early May and the extensive red tape imposed by Israeli authorities, which have severely restricted the flow of humanitarian aid. As a result, MSF warned it might have to "stop or drastically reduce" its medical aid operations in Gaza.

### Genocide: Ongoing and Escalating

Israel is not just blocking aid; it is continuing its campaign to break and destroy the Palestinian population of Gaza, including by targeting civilian infrastructure on a massive scale.

**Recent Developments Highlighting the Crisis:**

- **Destruction of Agriculture:** On June 19, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israeli attacks had damaged 57% of Gaza's farmland, one-third of its greenhouses, 537 barns, and 256 agricultural warehouses, severely disrupting the food supply chain. Additionally, Israel has targeted bakeries and other food production facilities.

- **Destruction of Sanitation Systems:** The UN Environment Programme reported on June 19 that Gaza’s five wastewater treatment plants have shut down, leading to sewage contamination of beaches, coastal waters, soil, and freshwater. Five out of six solid waste management facilities in Gaza are damaged. The Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme described driving through "rivers of raw sewage" in Gaza. Amnesty International reports that 90-95% of Gaza's water supply is contaminated and unfit for human consumption, exacerbated by Israel's refusal to allow water transfers from the West Bank.

- **Destruction of Cities:** Israeli bombs, tanks, and artillery have virtually leveled Gaza City and Khan Younis, displacing over a million people. Israel's invasion of Rafah, which began on May 6, has led to widespread destruction. On June 21, the New York Times reported on the "six-week battle" that left Rafah’s critical infrastructure in ruins, drawing comparisons to the devastation in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Eoghan Darbyshire, a senior researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, stated that large areas of Gaza might not be recoverable within a generation, even with unlimited resources.

- **Impact on Children:** Over 50,000 children require immediate medical treatment for malnutrition. OCHA reported visible wasting among children and a critical lack of milk and formula for babies. A child psychologist noted pervasive terror among children, with some sessions interrupted by the sounds of drones and bombs. On June 21, OCHA reported that 625,000 students had been out of school since October 2023 due to hostilities, with over 7,000 students and 378 educational staff killed. UNICEF spokesman James Elder emphasized that Gaza has the highest percentage of children affected by violence among all conflict zones where UNICEF operates.

**Netanyahu's Ominous Promise:**

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has demanded more weapons, promising to "finish the job." Given the devastation of the past eight months, this statement is extremely ominous.

**Call to Action:**

These developments underscore the importance of broadening, deepening, and intensifying opposition to this war. Understanding the root causes and exploring how this can be ended—in Palestine and globally—are crucial steps.

If you agree with any of these points, further exploration and action are needed.