Expulsion with no exit: one year of war in Gaza

Expulsion with No Exit: One Year of War in Gaza

Key Points:

1. Population Displacement:

   • 85% Forced Displacement: Over 85% of the Gaza population has been forcibly displaced due to the conflict.
   • High Death Rate: The conflict has produced a higher daily death rate than any other 21st-century armed conflict.
   • Humanitarian Crisis: The situation in Gaza has "reached unprecedented levels of emergency," with severe restrictions on access to essential resources.

2. Nature of Displacement:

   • Planned and Permanent: The displacement is planned and intended to be permanent, with no possibility of return.
   • Organized Strategy: The Israeli government has used multiple mechanisms to facilitate this displacement, including evacuation orders, bombardments, and severe restrictions on access to basic necessities.
   • Geopolitical Objective: The displacement serves to expand Israeli control over the territory, aligning with historical patterns of forced displacement since 1948.

3. Key Statistics:

   • Displaced Population: Nearly 2 million people have been displaced.
   • Casualties: Over 41,000 deaths have occurred, with estimates suggesting 186,000 deaths due to conflict-related factors by June 2024.
   • Victims: 85% of the population have fled their homes, and 8% (primarily women and children) have died during the offensive.

4. International Law and Asylum:

   • Failure of International Law: The displacement has highlighted the failure of international law, particularly in the humanitarian and asylum fields.
   • Genocide Charges: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded that genocide charges against Israel cannot be dismissed following South Africa's accusation.

5. Singular Nature of Displacement:

   • Threefold Singularity:
     1. Expulsion Goal: The primary objective is to expel the population.
     2. Expansion: The purpose is to expand into the territory.
     3. Permanent Nature: The displacement is intended to be permanent, challenging the concept of international protection.

6. Historical Context:

   • Nakba: The 1948 Nakba led to the death of 15,000 people and the forced displacement of 800,000 Palestinians.
   • 1967 Occupation: Further displacements occurred in 1967 with the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
   • Current Situation: The conflict on October 7, 2023, has accelerated these processes, leading to significant humanitarian crises.

7. Proposals and Plans:

   • Post-Conflict Plans: Proposals include building in Gaza and rebuilding settlements.
   • Geopolitical Goals: The ultimate goal is the annexation and permanent settlement of the land, reducing the number of Palestinians living there to a minimum.

Conclusion:

The displacement of the Gaza population is a strategic objective of the conflict, serving both as a means of expansion and a tool of geopolitical control. The humanitarian crisis and the failure of international law highlight the urgent need for intervention and protection of the displaced population.