Palestine Weekly | September 30–October 6, 2024 (Days 359–365)

Days 360 to 365: Intensified Genocide Against Palestinians and the Region

This week, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) intensified their multi-front assaults on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The relentless bombardments and ground incursions resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties and extensive infrastructure destruction, signaling an escalation in both scale and brutality. Each day brought fresh reports of atrocities, including targeted attacks on civilian shelters, healthcare facilities, and densely populated neighborhoods, with civilians enduring particularly severe losses due to attacks on evacuation centers and essential infrastructure. With U.S. support, Israel’s military actions drew widespread condemnation, yet international intervention remained limited, leaving millions vulnerable.

Day 360

• Lebanon: The IOF launched airstrikes in southern Lebanese towns, including al-Abbassieh, Harouf, and Bedias, igniting widespread destruction and fears of an imminent ground invasion. Throughout the night, multiple neighborhoods in Beirut experienced intense bombardments, marking one of the most extensive Israeli attacks on the city since the 2006 conflict. The economic repercussions of this escalation quickly surfaced as Moody’s downgraded Israel's credit rating by two levels, anticipating increased government debt, inflation, and an investor pullback due to the conflict's deepening scope.
  The situation in Lebanon spiraled further as residential and public areas bore the brunt of the air raids, placing civilians in extreme danger. The repeated targeting of infrastructure points to a calculated strategy aimed at destabilizing Lebanon, stretching its limited resources, and provoking Hezbollah into broader regional involvement. Observers have noted that these bombings signal a methodical attempt to cripple Lebanon's resilience by targeting densely populated civilian areas in Beirut and surrounding regions.
• Gaza: Central Gaza witnessed some of the deadliest attacks, with bombs flattening residential blocks in the heavily populated Deir al-Balah area. The attack killed four, including journalist Wafa al-Udaini and her family. The IOF targeted sites such as Abu Jaafar School in Beit Lahiya and a cluster of homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, leaving dozens injured and displaced. The escalation in targeting public and educational spaces underscored Israel’s disregard for civilian safety and rights, while the destruction of critical infrastructure aggravated the existing humanitarian crisis, leading to mass displacement and severe shortages in shelter capacity, food, and medical supplies.
  Gaza's health facilities, already at breaking point, struggled to accommodate the rising casualties, many of whom required urgent treatment for injuries exacerbated by a lack of essential supplies. The targeting of evacuation shelters and densely populated districts underscored the IOF's strategy to compound civilian suffering and leave Gaza’s infrastructure irreparably strained. Hospitals reported an influx of patients, with injuries ranging from shrapnel wounds to severe burns, many of which proved fatal due to limited treatment resources.
• Syria: The escalation saw over 100,000 civilians crossing into Syria from Lebanon as Israeli bombardments intensified, adding to the strain on Syria's already limited resources amidst years of internal conflict. Reports documented the rapid development of displacement camps along the border, where Syrians and Lebanese citizens sought refuge. Aid organizations noted that resources were becoming quickly overwhelmed, with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care compounding the crisis. Syria’s Ministry of Health issued warnings regarding potential outbreaks of disease, citing the lack of sanitation and cramped conditions. This mass displacement underscores the broader humanitarian catastrophe fueled by Israel’s expanded regional aggression.

Day 361

• United States: Public support from the United States for Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon signified a pivotal shift in international political dynamics, suggesting U.S. endorsement of further regional destabilization. Analysts noted that this endorsement likely emboldened Israeli actions, adding legitimacy to aggressive maneuvers against Lebanese and Palestinian populations. This shift highlighted the U.S. position in prioritizing Israel’s military objectives over civilian protection, disregarding the evident humanitarian toll.
• Lebanon: The 24-hour period saw the IOF bombings intensify, resulting in over 55 deaths and 156 injuries across Lebanon. Civilian fatalities included senior Palestinian resistance leaders, drawing significant retaliatory actions from Hezbollah, which launched multiple strikes against Israeli military installations. The attacks have led to mounting casualties among Lebanese civilians, with independent reports detailing widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes. As Israel’s operations expanded, Lebanese civilians faced increasing danger, with many forced to evacuate their homes. Hezbollah’s response, which targeted northern Israeli settlements and military sites, signaled the gravity of the IOF’s invasion and the growing risk of a broader conflict.
• Gaza: Israeli strikes on Gaza continued unabated, with 29 Palestinians killed in a single day as the IOF targeted residential neighborhoods, shelters, and family homes. Attacks on facilities like the Nuseirat refugee camp added to the humanitarian toll, with dozens left wounded and homeless. Each strike eroded what little safety existed for Gaza’s civilian population, effectively disregarding international laws that protect civilians in conflict zones. Witnesses in Gaza reported that the intensity of air raids far exceeded previous attacks, underscoring a deliberate strategy to maximize displacement and civilian casualties, particularly as emergency services faced insurmountable challenges in providing care amid constant bombardments.
• Iran: In response to escalating violence and the targeted assassinations of key Palestinian and Hezbollah leaders, Iran launched a barrage of missiles aimed at Israeli military sites. These strikes targeted Israel's central military hubs, including Nevatim airbase and other strategic facilities, with substantial damage reported despite Israel's media gag order. Iranian state media claimed the strikes were in retaliation for Israel's aggression against Palestinian and Lebanese leaders, specifically the assassination of Hamas leader Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amine. Iran’s response signifies a deepening regional entanglement, with potential for escalation into an even broader conflict. U.S. officials indicated possible countermeasures in support of Israel, further heightening tensions across the Middle East.

Day 362

• Hezbollah: Lebanese Hezbollah forces successfully repelled two attempted incursions by Israeli ground troops, claiming to have inflicted heavy casualties on IOF soldiers and destroying multiple tanks. Israeli sources reported far fewer casualties, yet independent reports indicated that Hezbollah’s defense capabilities placed IOF forces on high alert. Analysts noted that Hezbollah’s strategic approach demonstrated both preparedness and restraint, carefully responding to Israel’s escalation without pushing Lebanon further into the conflict. The group’s effectiveness in limiting IOF advances emphasized its defensive power and underscored the gravity of a ground invasion's potential repercussions.
• Jordan: The interception of Iranian missiles in Jordanian airspace marked a new dimension of indirect involvement, further complicating Jordan’s position amidst growing regional tensions. By allowing U.S. forces to intercept missiles over its territory, Jordan exposed itself to collateral damage, with some missiles reportedly falling on Jordanian cities, causing civilian casualties. This development highlighted the precarious political landscape, as Jordan’s cooperation with Israel and the United States signaled potential exposure to the broader conflict’s destabilizing impacts.
• UN Relations: In an unprecedented diplomatic move, Israel barred the UN Secretary-General from entry, citing what it called “insufficient condemnation” of Iranian aggression. This restriction on a top international official marked a rare rift with the UN and restricted avenues for international mediation. Rights groups condemned Israel's stance, asserting that such actions risk undermining international accountability mechanisms and escalating regional isolation. Observers warned that barring diplomatic intervention could lead to an unrestrained escalation of violence, placing civilian populations at greater risk.

Day 363

• Lebanon: Reports emerged of Israel deploying white phosphorus in Beirut’s civilian areas, with witnesses describing the substance's distinct and devastating impact. While international law strictly prohibits the use of white phosphorus against civilian populations, this alleged chemical attack drew widespread condemnation and deepened the humanitarian crisis in Beirut. Health organizations reported rising casualties from burns, respiratory complications, and panic among residents unable to seek shelter. The suspected chemical attacks marked a disturbing escalation, intensifying the suffering of Lebanese civilians already grappling with an overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure and scarce resources.
• West Bank: IOF raids on Tulkarem refugee camp involved fighter jets, a tactic rarely seen in the West Bank, and targeted densely populated civilian areas. The scale of destruction left dozens wounded, further destabilizing already vulnerable communities. Local authorities condemned these tactics as a move toward broader suppression of Palestinian resistance, citing the systematic targeting of residential areas as an attempt to break the will of the population. The attacks exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, as thousands faced displacement and resource shortages due to constant military aggression.
• United States: The Biden administration’s consideration of targeted strikes on Iranian oil sites marked a shift in U.S. policy that raised alarm among international observers. Analysts speculated that such an intervention could serve as a precursor to full-scale conflict, with potentially catastrophic outcomes for civilian populations across the Middle East. European leaders expressed concerns about the risk of a wider war, calling for diplomatic de-escalation efforts. However, U.S. officials maintained support for Israel’s stance, signaling a potential pivot toward more direct involvement in the region's conflict.

Day 364

• Gaza: Continued strikes by the IOF decimated shelters and displacement centers in central Gaza, leaving few places of refuge for civilians. Hezbollah launched over 100 retaliatory rockets into Galilee, igniting fires and adding to Israeli casualties. This exchange underscored Gaza’s entrapment within a cycle of violence, with its civilian infrastructure bearing the brunt of military aggression. Health organizations and aid groups reported an intensifying crisis as the constant bombardments severely limited humanitarian access and assistance to those in need.
• Syria-Lebanon Border: The IOF targeted the Masnaa border crossing, a key evacuation route for refugees and displaced civilians, in what appeared to be an effort to restrict movement and force civilians deeper into conflict zones. Observers interpreted this action as a calculated tactic to pressure regional actors by controlling evacuation routes, thus amplifying the suffering of displaced populations. Aid organizations on the ground reported that these attacks hindered critical evacuations, leaving thousands of civilians stranded without basic necessities and access to safe zones.
• Health Sector: Lebanon’s healthcare system reached near-collapse, with three major hospitals in Beirut and southern Lebanon suspending operations after sustained IOF airstrikes. Health officials warned of a looming public health disaster, citing shortages of critical supplies, overwhelmed emergency facilities, and a dearth of medical personnel. Lebanon’s health sector, already compromised, faced unprecedented strain as injuries from airstrikes continued to pour in. Aid groups expressed alarm over the longer-term ramifications for Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure, which could impact millions and delay recovery efforts.

Day 365

• Gaza: The IOF launched a devastating airstrike on a mosque in Deir al-Balah, which had been converted into a shelter for displaced Palestinians, resulting in a massive death toll. Paramedics struggled for hours to recover bodies from the rubble, describing the extent of destruction as “unlike anything seen recently.” The bombing of a designated shelter violated international conventions, further illustrating the IOF’s apparent disregard for protected civilian sites. Emergency services struggled to respond due to relentless bombardment across Gaza, and civilian populations were left with few options for safety as even designated shelters became targets.
• Lebanon: Sustained IOF bombardments struck the Beddawi refugee camp in Tripoli and several neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs. These attacks compounded the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, forcing thousands to seek refuge in overcrowded shelters and highlighting the growing danger to Palestinian refugee populations within Lebanon. The International Red Cross and local organizations reported widespread casualties among civilians, including fatalities among healthcare workers attempting to provide aid. International observers condemned these acts, asserting that the targeted nature of the strikes on refugee camps illustrated a pattern of ethnic cleansing.
• International Community: As European countries ramped up evacuations of diplomatic personnel and citizens, the severity of the regional crisis drew increased global scrutiny. International agencies, including the UN, condemned the widespread violence and urged an immediate ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Nonetheless, Israeli officials continued to assert the necessity of these operations, citing national security concerns, while rights groups warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe without an immediate de-escalation.

The escalating violence across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria this week illustrates a pattern of targeted aggression, with significant civilian infrastructure and populations under siege. Despite mounting international calls for accountability, the sustained attacks reflect an entrenched policy of systemic destruction. With support from the United States, Israel’s actions have strained the region's stability, intensified displacement crises, and left millions of civilians in immediate peril. The week’s events underscore the need for accurate documentation and international response to curb ongoing human rights violations and prevent further destabilization.