Background on the Situation in Gaza and the Israel-Iran Conflict
More than 55,700 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the Israeli offensive in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has escalated tensions in the Middle East, with protests taking place in London and Berlin.
London Protest
On Saturday, tens of thousands marched in London and Berlin to support Palestinians in Gaza. Protesters called on their respective governments to “stop arming Israel” and expressed fear of further escalation in the Middle East due to the war between Iran and Israel.
- “Don’t interfere with Gaza,” and “Don’t interfere with Iran” were messages on signs held by peaceful demonstrators in London.
- “Free Palestine” was a common chant among the crowd.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized the London march, urging the British government to “stop enabling genocide.” Nicky Marcus, a 60-year-old participant, has attended multiple demonstrations to “show Palestinians they are not alone.”
Marcus is concerned that global attention has shifted to the war between Iran and Israel, neglecting the devastation in Gaza, a Palestinian territory ravaged by over 20 months of war.
“Now is the time for everyone to speak loudly and strongly. We cannot stay silent, sitting on our couches,”
Gundula, a Berlin protester who declined to share her last name, fears that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using this conflict as a “distraction tactic.”
Berlin Protest
In Berlin, more than 10,000 people took to the streets, according to police figures. Protesters chanted “Germany funds, Israel bombs,” expressing their concerns about the ongoing conflict.
Impact of the Conflict
According to data released by Gaza’s health ministry on Thursday, more than 55,700 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive. These figures are considered reliable by the UN.
The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s deadly attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Israel launched a massive aerial attack against Iran on June 13, targeting hundreds of military and nuclear facilities, killing top Iranian military leaders.
Israel claims that Iran is on the verge of acquiring a nuclear bomb, while Iran denies seeking to develop such an arm.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation in Gaza? More than 55,700 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive, with the territory suffering from over 20 months of war.
- What sparked the recent tensions? The conflict escalated following Hamas’s attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
- What is the nature of the Israel-Iran conflict? Israel accuses Iran of being close to acquiring nuclear weapons, while Iran denies these allegations.
- Why are protests taking place in London and Berlin? Demonstrators are calling on their governments to stop supporting Israel and expressing fear of further escalation in the Middle East.
