GAZA, PALESTINE: Haneen Okal, an American mother of three, is stuck in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, and her plea for help echoes the desperate cries of countless civilians trapped in the crossfire.
As the Israeli airstrikes continue to rain down on the territory in response to attacks by the militant group Hamas, Okal, along with her husband and children, faces a harrowing ordeal with little hope of escape, according to The Mirror.
Feeling abandoned in Gaza
In a gut-wrenching interview with CNN, Haneen Okal revealed the chilling reality of her situation, expressing, "It's very terrifying because we all want to get out of here." Okal, like many others, has turned to the US embassy for assistance, only to be met with disappointment.
"We feel abandoned... They say, 'We're going to get you out. We're going to call you back,'" Okal recounted. "We never hear from them."
The ordeal is not limited to Okal alone. White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that "civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done" and affirmed the US commitment to "support safe passage."
The Biden administration is in discussions with Israel and Egypt to ensure the safe evacuation of over 2 million Gaza residents.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with the territory's only power station running out of fuel and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The death toll among Palestinians has risen to 1,500, including 500 children and 376 women.
As civilians seek refuge in UN-operated schools, Israel's siege on the region has led to a dire shortage of essential supplies, including food, fuel, water, and medicine. Israel has imposed these restrictions until Hamas releases around 150 hostages taken during a violent incursion.
The impending threat of a ground invasion looms over Gaza, with former Israeli defense official General Yaakov Amidror emphasizing the need to dismantle Hamas, regardless of casualties.
The potential ground offensive would be fraught with peril, involving house-to-house combat in streets devastated by airstrikes. Hamas, fortified by years of preparations and an intricate network of tunnels, stands as a formidable adversary deeply ingrained in Palestinian society.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group with military, governmental, and social welfare arms, maintains a significant following across various regions. Founded in the late 1980s, it endured as an underground armed group during Israel's occupation of Gaza and has continued to evolve.
Yet, the prospect of reoccupying Gaza carries complex challenges, from governing 2.3 million Palestinians to the risk of further radicalization in the absence of Hamas, the Mirror noted.
Roots of the conflict
Hamas leaders attribute their recent actions to a culmination of factors, including Israeli operations in the West Bank, the expansion of illegal settlements, the plight of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, and the enduring blockade of Gaza.
These grievances have fueled their current offensive, plunging Gaza into a dire humanitarian crisis.
As international efforts continue to seek a path to safety for civilians, including Okal, who are trapped in the war-torn region, the world is hoping for a swift resolution to the devastating conflict.