Oh Rascal Children of Gaza
Oh rascal children of Gaza,
You who constantly disturbed me with your screams under my window,
You who filled every morning with rush and chaos,
You who broke my vase and stole the lonely flower on my balcony,
Come back –
And scream as you want,
And break all the vases,
Steal all the flowers,
Come back,
Just come back…
by Khaled Juma
Introduction
As of July 25, 2025, the conflict in Gaza enters its twenty-second month, marking one of the most protracted and devastating chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian saga. What began as a response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, resulting in approximately 1,139 Israeli deaths, has evolved into a full-scale military operation that has claimed over 59,000 Palestinian lives and injured 140,000 more, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) control roughly 70% of the Gaza Strip, with operations focusing on dismantling Hamas infrastructure through airstrikes, ground incursions, and targeted assassinations. However, this dominance has come at a staggering humanitarian cost, transforming Gaza into a landscape of ruin where entire cities lie in rubble, hospitals are destroyed, and basic services have collapsed.
Central to this essay is the enforced famine imposed by Israel, described by international bodies as a deliberate strategy of starvation used as a weapon of war. Aid agencies report that Israel’s blockade has reduced food supplies to mere fractions of pre-war levels, leading to acute malnutrition affecting one in five children and widespread deaths from hunger. This tactic, intertwined with military operations, raises profound questions about genocide and ethnic cleansing, as articulated by Amnesty International and UN experts.
Australia’s response exemplifies a broader pattern of Western inaction. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the “indefensible” killing of civilians and joined international calls for a ceasefire, Canberra has refrained from imposing sanctions on Israel or severing ties, prioritising diplomatic relations and domestic political considerations. This essay examines the military dynamics in Gaza, the mechanics of enforced famine, Australia’s tepid stance, and the dire consequences if Israel persists on its current trajectory, potentially culminating in the complete removal of Palestinians from their homeland through death, displacement, or forced exodus.
The Military Situation in Gaza
The military landscape in Gaza as of mid-2025 is characterised by Israel’s overwhelming superiority in firepower and technology, contrasted against Hamas’s resilient guerrilla tactics. The IDF has conducted extensive operations, including ground advances in northern and central Gaza, with reports of intensified strikes in areas like Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Bureij. According to UN humanitarian updates, between October 7, 2023, and July 23, 2025, at least 58,573 Palestinians have been killed, with the IDF reporting the elimination of key Hamas leaders and the destruction of terror assets. Israeli casualties include two soldiers killed in recent operations, bringing the total to over 300 since the war’s onset.
Operations have shifted from large-scale invasions to pinpoint airstrikes and artillery barrages, with the IDF redeploying battalions from the Lebanon border to Gaza for targeted raids. In northern Gaza, forces have expanded control, clashing with Hamas fighters who employ tunnels and civilian areas for cover, avoiding direct confrontations. Southern Gaza, particularly Rafah, has seen evacuations and ambushes, with Israeli helicopters evacuating wounded soldiers amid ongoing battles. The Economist notes that the war lacks clear military logic at this stage, as Hamas is largely defeated, yet operations persist to pressure negotiations and prevent regrouping.
Hamas’s strategy has adapted to asymmetric warfare, with increased guerrilla activity in June 2025 resulting in 20 Israeli soldier deaths. Terrorists have fled to southern areas, using hit-and-run tactics and booby-trapped aid supplies to disrupt IDF advances. Despite this, Israel maintains dominance, with 70% of the Strip under control, rendering large parts uninhabitable through systematic destruction of infrastructure. UN reports highlight chaos, with desperate Gazans facing fire from tanks and snipers while seeking aid, exacerbating civilian casualties.
Ceasefire talks remain stalled, with US envoy Witkoff blaming Hamas, while Israel explores “alternative options” for hostage recovery. International pressure mounts, as 28 countries, including Western nations, demand an end to the war, citing unprecedented suffering. Yet, Israel’s military chief has drafted plans to intensify ground operations, potentially aiming for full takeover. This escalation occurs amid reports of 72 Palestinian deaths in a single day from Israeli fire.
The situation is fluid, with IDF focusing on evacuation orders in central Gaza to target untapped Hamas areas. Humanitarian corridors are established, but often disrupted, leading to accusations that military actions integrate aid into strategy, further endangering civilians. Overall, the military stalemate – Israel’s control versus Hamas’s persistence – fuels a cycle of violence, with no clear end in sight.
To delve deeper into the operational intricacies, it’s essential to consider the evolution of tactics over the past months. Initially, the IDF’s “Swords of Iron” operation involved massive aerial bombardments to soften Hamas defences, followed by ground incursions that divided Gaza into northern and southern sectors. This bifurcation allowed Israel to isolate Hamas strongholds, but it also displaced over 1.9 million Palestinians, creating tent cities in the south that have become breeding grounds for disease and despair. Recent reports indicate that the IDF has employed artificial intelligence-driven targeting systems, such as “Lavender,” to identify and strike suspected militants, though this has led to high civilian collateral due to algorithmic errors and loose verification protocols.
Hamas, on the other hand, has decentralised its command structure, relying on small cells that operate independently to launch ambushes and rocket attacks. The group’s use of the extensive tunnel network – estimated at over 500 kilometres – has allowed it to evade detection and resupply fighters, though Israeli forces have flooded and bombed many of these passages. Despite heavy losses, Hamas claims to retain significant fighting capacity, with estimates suggesting thousands of operatives still active. This resilience has prolonged the conflict, turning it into a war of attrition that drains Israeli resources and morale.
Broader regional dynamics also influence the military situation. Tensions with Hezbollah in the north have diverted IDF attention, with cross-border exchanges threatening to open a second front. Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have launched sporadic attacks on Israeli positions, complicating the strategic calculus. Meanwhile, the Houthis in Yemen continue to disrupt Red Sea shipping, indirectly supporting Hamas by straining Israel’s economy. These external factors underscore that Gaza is not an isolated theatre, but part of a larger proxy conflict involving multiple actors.
Enforced Famine by Israel
Integral to Israel’s military strategy is the imposition of famine, described by experts as a calculated act of genocide through starvation. Since the war’s escalation, Israel has restricted aid, blocking food imports for extended periods and limiting supplies to 15% of pre-war levels for Gaza’s 2.3 million people. The death toll from starvation has risen to 115 as of July 24, 2025, with two more malnutrition deaths recorded amid ongoing attacks.
Aid agencies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), warn of “man-made mass starvation,” with Gaza’s entire population at risk of famine. Israel’s blockade, in place for over two months by May 2025, withheld food and water, bombing bakeries, mills, and water infrastructure. UN experts note that without immediate action, the lack of supplies will push food insecurity to catastrophic levels, with one in five people starving. Children are particularly affected, with acute malnutrition hitting 34% in northern Gaza, and reports indicting Israel for weaponising starvation against Palestinian youth.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed aid scheme, has been criticised as integrating food into military tactics, leading to thousands killed or injured while accessing aid. Palestinians face a grim choice: starvation or gunfire, as Israeli forces shoot at crowds near aid sites. Amnesty International’s July 2025 report points to Israel’s continued use of starvation to inflict genocide, deliberately imposing life-threatening conditions. Israeli officials have openly discussed “calorie counting” policies, confirming intent.
This famine is not incidental but enforced, with borders sealed and aid trucks blocked, reducing Palestinians to scavenging lentils and pasta. Over 100 aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, highlight clear signs of ethnic cleansing through starvation, as Israel deprives civilians of water and food since October 2023. The Palestinian NGO Network declared full-blown famine in April 2025, attributing it to Israel’s 40-day blockade and destruction of life-sustaining means.
Critics from Al Jazeera and Human Rights Watch argue this strategy echoes historical genocides, like Nazi tactics in the Soviet Union, using hunger as a weapon. Despite Israel’s denials and claims of minimising civilian harm, evidence from UNRWA and IPC reports confirms imminent famine for 1.1 million, half of Gaza. The blockade’s easing in May was minimal, with aid a “trickle,” perpetuating suffering.
Expanding on the mechanics of this enforced famine, Israel’s control over entry points like Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings allows it to regulate the flow of goods meticulously. Inspections are protracted, often rejecting entire shipments on security pretexts, such as dual-use items that could theoretically aid Hamas. This has led to mountains of aid rotting at borders while Gazans subsist on less than 500 calories per day in some areas. The destruction of agricultural lands – over 40% of Gaza’s farmland razed by bulldozers and bombings – has eliminated local food production, making the population entirely dependent on external aid.
Moreover, the famine intersects with other humanitarian crises. Water scarcity, exacerbated by bombed desalination plants and polluted aquifers, compounds malnutrition, leading to diseases like cholera and hepatitis that weaken the population further. Medical facilities, already overwhelmed by war injuries, now treat starvation-related complications, but with medicine shortages, mortality rates soar. Women and infants suffer disproportionately, with breastfeeding mothers unable to nourish their children due to their own undernourishment.
International law, including the Geneva Conventions, prohibits using starvation as a method of warfare, yet enforcement remains elusive. The International Court of Justice’s provisional measures ordering Israel to allow aid have been largely ignored, with only cosmetic increases in truck entries. This defiance not only prolongs the famine but also sets a dangerous precedent for future conflicts, where besieging populations becomes normalised.
Australia’s Position and Inaction
Australia’s stance on the Gaza conflict reflects a cautious balancing act, prioritising alliance with the US and Israel while issuing verbal condemnations. Prime Minister Albanese has described the crisis as “beyond the world’s worst fears,” emphasising that “every innocent life matters.” Joining 28 nations in a July 2025 statement, Australia called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid, condemning Israel’s “indefensible” actions. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged full aid resumption and highlighted Donald Trump’s potential role in negotiations.
However, critics decry Australia’s inaction, noting no sanctions on Israel despite ICJ rulings on genocide risks. While sanctioning two Israeli ministers and settlers for West Bank violence, Gaza atrocities go unpunished. Polling shows 82% of Australians view Israel’s aid denial as unjustifiable, pressuring the government to act. Yet, Canberra provides military aid, exporting thousands of items to the IDF, breaching international law.
This “fence-sitting” stems from fear of alienating Jewish voters and donors, as noted by former officials. Australia voted for UN ceasefire resolutions but avoids concrete steps like expelling diplomats or halting arms. Humanitarian aid totals AUD3 million for affected individuals, but critics argue complicity through silence. Joint statements with donors demand aid resumption, yet no enforcement follows.
Hamas welcomed Australia’s criticisms, highlighting perceived shifts, but domestic voices like the Australian Centre for International Justice call for sanctions on Israeli officials. Overall, Australia’s position is vocal but impotent, morally culpable in the eyes of analysts.
To understand Australia’s inaction more fully, consider its historical ties. As a key ally in the Five Eyes intelligence network, Australia aligns closely with US foreign policy, which has provided unwavering support to Israel through arms sales and vetoes at the UN Security Council. Domestically, the Labor government faces a divided electorate: progressive voters demand stronger action against Israel, while conservative elements and the opposition Coalition criticise any perceived anti-Israel bias as antisemitic.
Recent parliamentary debates have seen motions for recognising Palestine defeated, with the government opting for incremental steps like upgrading the Palestinian delegation’s status. Aid contributions, while present, are dwarfed by those of other nations; Australia’s AUD52 million in total humanitarian funding pales against billions from the EU and US Critics point to double standards: Australia swiftly sanctioned Russia over Ukraine but hesitates on Israel, revealing geopolitical biases.
Public protests in cities like Sydney and Melbourne have amplified calls for boycotts and divestment, influencing some state governments to review investments in Israeli firms. Yet, federal inertia persists, with officials citing the need for “balanced” diplomacy. This approach risks Australia’s international reputation, as global south nations increasingly view Western powers as hypocritical on human rights.
Likely Consequences if Israel Continues
If Israel persists, consequences could escalate to full ethnic cleansing, removing Palestinians from Gaza through systematic displacement and death. Human Rights Watch documents forced evictions, rendering areas uninhabitable and stoking genocide fears. UN experts warn of an “urgent moral crossroads,” where unchecked atrocities could end life in Gaza.
Regionally, this risks broader war, with spillover into the West Bank and heightened tensions with Hezbollah. Internationally, Israel faces isolation, with Amnesty concluding genocide and calls for accountability. Doctors Without Borders sees “clear signs” of ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza tactics.
Domestically, prolonged war disgraces Israel, eroding support and inviting historical condemnation as a perpetrator of extermination. For Palestinians, it means potential erasure, with no path to peace without rights recognition. A shared future demands equality, but continuation portends catastrophe.
Projecting forward, if the current path continues, Gaza could become a depopulated zone, with survivors fleeing to Egypt’s Sinai or beyond, fulfilling long-standing Israeli proposals for “voluntary” migration. This would ignite Arab world fury, potentially destabilising Jordan and Egypt through refugee influxes and radicalisation. Hezbollah’s involvement could draw in Iran, escalating to a multi-state war with nuclear risks.
Globally, Israel’s actions strain alliances. The US, already divided internally, might face domestic backlash leading to policy shifts under future administrations. Europe, with its growing Muslim populations, sees rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, fracturing social cohesion. Economic boycotts could intensify, impacting Israel’s tech-driven economy.
For Israel itself, endless occupation breeds internal division: protests against Netanyahu’s government grow, with military refuseniks and economic strain from reservist call-ups. The moral toll – soldiers grappling with atrocities – could scar generations, mirroring post-Vietnam America.
Ultimately, without intervention, the conflict’s endgame might see Palestine’s demographic erasure, redrawing Middle East maps but sowing seeds for perpetual instability. Peace requires dismantling apartheid structures, but current trajectories veer toward tragedy.
Conclusion
The Gaza crisis underscores the perils of unchecked military power and enforced deprivation. Israel’s operations, while achieving tactical gains, have wrought famine and destruction, inviting genocide accusations. Australia’s inaction, amid global outcry, highlights moral failings. If unaltered, this path may culminate in Palestinian removal, destabilising the region and humanity’s conscience. Urgent international intervention is imperative to avert this grim fate.
