Gaza’s Human Crisis Demands a Rethink

Overview: 

This article was written by CSIS experts Leonard Rubenstein and J. Stephen Morrison, focusing on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. 

• The article highlights the massive scale of human suffering and infrastructure damage in Gaza due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. 
• It emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and address the deteriorating health and living conditions in Gaza.

Key Quotes: 

1. "Israel’s assaults have damaged or destroyed 70 percent of Gaza’s housing and nearly half of its infrastructure."
2. "Almost two million people have been displaced to areas that remain acutely unsafe."

What They Discuss: 

• The article details the catastrophic impact of the conflict on Gaza's civilian population, with over 23,000 deaths, most being women and children.
• It discusses the severe damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, with 70% of housing and nearly half of all infrastructure destroyed.
• The authors note the decimation of Gaza's healthcare system, with only a third of hospitals partially functioning and widespread infectious diseases.
• They highlight the challenges faced by international aid agencies in delivering essential services due to operational barriers and insecurity.
• The article points out the failure of international diplomatic efforts, particularly by the UN Security Council, in effectively addressing the crisis.

​What They Recommend: 

• The authors urge the Biden administration to reset its strategy, focusing on stabilizing and protecting the Gazan population.
• They recommend concrete proof of IDF compliance with international humanitarian law and the implementation of deconfliction mechanisms.
• The article suggests quadrupling the flow of essential supplies like food, fuel, and medicines to Gaza.
• It calls for expanded U.S. technical support to strengthen Palestine's health services and laboratory capabilities.
• The authors propose engaging Arab countries to press Hamas for a cessation of fighting and the expedited release of hostages.

​Key Takeaways:

• The conflict in Gaza has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with extensive loss of life and destruction of infrastructure.
• There is an urgent need for international intervention to alleviate the suffering and stabilize the situation.
• The article advocates for a more assertive and concrete approach by the U.S. and international community in addressing the crisis.

​This is a brief overview of Leonard Rubenstein and J. Stephen Morrison's work from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.