Impending Israel ground invasion

Gaza has reached an extreme level of crisis with the looming threats.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War three weeks ago, Israel has promised that a major ground invasion is to come. After Hamas’ surprise attack on Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Army, also known as the Israeli Defense Force, has threatened retaliation and mobilized 360,000 reserve troops.
Preparation for this ground invasion has appeared in many forms. Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza. An unending stream of missiles has entered the Gaza Strip, wreaking havoc and destruction. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 7,000. Hamas has also continued the usage of its own missiles. In one major event on Tuesday, Oct. 17, the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza was hit by an explosive, killing hundreds. Hamas blamed Israel for deliberately targeting a civilian refuge, while Israel claimed the event was caused by a failed rocket launch coming from Gaza. Independent experts have found Israel’s story to be credible, though evidence is limited and the world still does not know the truth for certain.
Israel has also begun initial ground incursions in preparation for the major invasion. Throughout the war, there have been skirmishes at the border, but the IDF has now made more major moves. They have sent in tanks and troops to scout Gaza to find Hamas’ outposts and gain intel on its tunnel network beneath Gaza’s surface. These forays are setting the stage for the main Israeli attack.
Through this conflict, one of the most major components of the fighting is in the eyes of the world. Countries and people around the globe are watching events unfold, and their reactions will decide to what extent they will get involved, which will play a role in deciding the outcome of this war. Over the past weeks, Israel has released more and more footage from Hamas’ original attacks on Oct. 7. The footage displays ruthless brutality as innocents are killed by trained soldiers. No one is spared, not even children or the elderly. People are gunned down in the streets at parties and in their own homes. In one notable press conference, journalists were shown 43 minutes of the most extreme footage of Hamas’s brutality but they were forbidden to record or share it, only being allowed to report on their experience of watching it. Hamas has also fought to bring the world to the side of the Palestinians. They hold over 220 hostages but have released four of them — two elderly women and a mother and daughter — as a humanitarian gesture. Hamas has sought to ensure the world knows about the crisis in Gaza.
Before the war, Gaza was a place filled with poverty. According to the United Nations, 80% of the population relied on foreign aid. But with the outbreak of war, Gaza has deteriorated into a state of severe crisis. In the early weeks of the war, Israel refused to allow aid to enter Gaza. Recently they relaxed their restrictions and limited the quantities of supplies that were allowed to enter Gaza through Egypt, but the quantities permitted are a fraction of what was sent even before the Palestinians in Gaza were dealing with war. Food supplies are running low. Water rations are at a tiny percentage of recommended quantities. Electricity and communications are shut down in most places. Emergency shelters are overloaded by civilians forced to evacuate northern Gaza. Hospitals are severely overwhelmed by people injured in the bombardment. Doctors and nurses are working without rest with limited supplies in hospitals filled to the brim and far beyond capacity. Medical workers have to constantly make decisions on whose injuries are worth treating and who cannot be saved. When Israel launches a full invasion, even more people will be wounded and require medical attention. The people of Gaza face threats of bombings, disease, starvation and an impending attack.
The Israeli government has stated its goal is to eliminate Hamas, the group that killed over 1,400 of their civilians and vowed the end of Israel. Yet their invasion will be no easy feat. Gaza is densely packed, meaning that the combat will be urban warfare, with soldiers on both sides having to work around buildings and rubble. Hamas also has a complex tunnel system under the surface of Gaza at their disposal, which poses a threat to the Israeli attack. Civilians who could not evacuate will still be present and Hamas could hide among them. Hamas still holds over 200 hostages that could be used as threats or shields.
Around the world, many people have reacted to the war with feelings of hatred, but many more have reacted with compassion. Here at The University of Tulsa, the Muslim Student Association and South Asian Student Association each held a fundraiser, selling baklava and chai respectively, in order to raise money for aid for the people in Gaza. These organizations gave students an opportunity to show their compassion to those in need. Even in dire circumstances, humans are still capable of feeling for and doing what they can for others.