In a harrowing turn of events, Gaza’s hospitals find themselves stretched to their limits as Israel continues its relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Overnight strikes have relentlessly targeted residential buildings, further exacerbating the dire situation on the ground.
The Palestinian Health Ministry, in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), has urgently called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. This corridor is deemed essential to facilitate the swift entry of critical medical aid into Gaza’s beleaguered hospitals, which are grappling with an overwhelming influx of casualties.
The Naksa: Israel’s Occupation of Palestinian Territories in 1967
A grim historical backdrop sheds light on the enduring tensions in the region. More than five decades ago, in a seismic geopolitical shift, Israel shocked the world by seizing control of the remaining Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, as well as the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. This swift territorial acquisition unfolded over a mere six days and came to be known as the “Naksa,” a term signifying setback or defeat.
The 1967 War, often referred to as the June War, saw Israel pitted against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. In a remarkable display of military prowess, Israel delivered what would become a historic Naksa, decisively overcoming the armies of neighboring Arab nations. Palestinians, who had already borne the brunt of displacement and dispossession in 1948, saw their homeland further diminished.
The Naksa was, in many ways, a continuation of a significant preceding event. In 1948, the State of Israel was established through a tumultuous and violent process that entailed the forced expulsion of Palestinians, commonly referred to as the “Nakba,” or catastrophe. These twin events, the Nakba and the Naksa, continue to shape the complex and deeply rooted conflicts in the region.
