At least 15 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in an Israeli attack on a home in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza as Israeli forces continue to advance towards the centre and southern areas of the enclave.
More than 207 Palestinians were killed and 338 people were wounded by Israeli forces in Gaza in the past 24 hours alone, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Since 7 October, Israeli forces have killed at least 22,185 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded more than 57,000. Over 8,000 people are believed to be buried under the rubble.
Israel killed at least five Palestinians in its raids in the occupied West Bank. Amid the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, a seventh Palestinian prisoner has died in Israeli custody since 7 October, which the Palestinian groups have denounced as an assassination.
Meanwhile, Turkey has arrested 33 individuals on suspicion of ties with Israeli intelligence. Simultaneously, the Israeli Supreme Court decided to strike down a controversial law, part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul. The move is seen as a significant blow to the coalition government’s promise of sweeping changes, revealing deep-seated divisions that have persisted since late 2022.
As the international pressure on Israel grows, the Israeli government has criticised South Africa’s recent genocide application at the International Court of Justice, asserting it as anti-Semitic. Experts view South Africa’s case as a crucial instrument of international pressure against Israel. Emphasising the significance of the International Court of Justice, he highlights that Israel’s recognition as a state becomes a pivotal factor in this global conflict.
Adel Abdel Ghafar, a senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, highlights that Israel’s actions have nullified its “carte blanche” from Western nations.
“As scenes of carnage, displaced populations, dead children, and starvation fill our screens, the tide is really shifting,” Ghafar told Al Jazeera. He highlighted the growing global outcry, with massive pro-Palestinian rallies resonating across Europe and the United States. The visuals of the humanitarian crisis have ignited public outrage, prompting a reevaluation of Israel’s actions.
The pressure on politicians is evident, with some European countries, including Belgium, undergoing a perceptible shift in their stance on Gaza. Calls for a ceasefire, previously muted, are gaining ground.
However, Israel has staunchly rejected such appeals.
Ghafar emphasised the significance of the changing sentiment, indicating that the atrocities unfolding in Gaza are altering the geopolitical landscape. The international community, once largely supportive of Israel, is now struggling with the human toll of the conflict.
“It’s also very interesting to keep an eye on US politics given that this is an election year and Biden’s ratings are down. This will factor into his calculus in this new year,” Ghafar notes, pointing out the potential impact of the Gaza crisis on the United States.