Middle East: Another year draws to a close, yet the Zionist genocide persists unabated. In 2024, after a year steeped in the blood of Palestinians, Israel tightened its grip on Gaza’s Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor from the Palestinian side. The so-called "Netzarim Axis" expanded to 56 square kilometers, severing Gaza into northern and southern zones.

The occupation forces didn’t stop there. They divided Gaza’s northern areas further, isolating regions such as Jabalia Camp, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun from Gaza City. Death and destruction became omnipresent, but northern Gaza bore the brunt of the carnage.

With hospitals and rescue teams disabled in the north, including the civil defense, bodies of martyrs were left to rot in the streets, preyed upon by stray dogs. Survivors with injuries were left untreated, their fates sealed as "future martyrs." Hospitals like Beit Hanoun, the Indonesian Hospital, and Yemen Al-Saeed were rendered inoperable, while others, such as Kamal Adwan Medical Complex and Al-Awda Hospital, faced repeated bombardment.

The situation in Gaza City was no less dire. Homes, mosques, schools, and even temporary shelters were systematically destroyed. In the south, particularly in Khan Younis and Rafah, the forced displacement of residents continued intermittently, leaving the population in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty.

Rafah, the southernmost area of Gaza, suffered relentless targeting, with death often eclipsing life. By the end of the year, the death toll exceeded 60,000, including approximately 20,000 children and 12,000 women. Injuries surpassed 107,000, with countless victims left to endure lifelong scars without proper medical care.

These figures are not just numbers; they represent untold stories of tragedy, loss, and resilience. The people of Gaza, yearning for a glimpse of peace, cling to the hope of a ceasefire that could end the bloodshed and despair.

Palestinian Report: Gaza Loses 6% of Its Population by the End of 2024

A Palestinian official report released on Tuesday revealed that Gaza's population decreased by 6 percent in 2024 due to Israel’s continued genocidal war on the region.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics announced that since October 7, 2023, 45,584 Palestinians were martyred, and approximately 100,000 were forced to leave Gaza.

The Ministry of Education reported that 12,943 students were killed and 21,681 injured since the onset of Israeli aggression. In Gaza alone, 12,790 students were martyred, while the West Bank accounted for 120 student deaths. Teachers and educational staff also suffered, with 630 educators killed and 3,865 injured.

The report further highlighted the destruction of 425 schools and universities in Gaza, with 171 sustaining severe damage and 77 completely destroyed. Meanwhile, 109 schools and seven universities in the West Bank faced similar devastation due to raids and vandalism.

Gaza's harrowing year of 2024 stands as a testament to the resilience of its people, who continue to endure unimaginable suffering under an unrelenting blockade and war.

Translated by Almasirah English website