Thread by @theIMEU

THREAD: What you need to know about #Gaza

Gaza is a tiny strip of land in Palestine, home to more than 2 million Palestinians.

Most are refugees from Palestinian cities and towns in what became Israel. Palestinians (and their descendants) who were driven from their homes when Israel forced ¾ of the Palestinian population off their land in 1948.

Since 1967 Palestinians in Gaza have lived under brutal Israeli military rule. This means the Israeli government controls most aspects of their lives while denying them the right to vote and all other rights people take for granted.

For the past 15 years, Israel has sealed Gaza off from the rest of the world, trapping all 2+ million Palestinians inside. This brutal military blockade is enforced by Israel and Egypt via land, air, and sea. No one can escape or flee to safety.

Israeli restrictions on food, water, and medicine make life in Gaza unbearable. 97% of water in Gaza is undrinkable, and 75% of Palestinian residents are food insecure.

Israel calls these cruel and deliberate measures “[putting] the Palestinians on a diet.”

Israel has one of the most powerful militaries in the world and is attacking a largely defenseless and trapped civilian population. Half of Palestinians in Gaza are children, 91% of whom suffer from PTSD due to Israel’s endless brutalization.

Since 2008, Israel has killed more than 4,000 Palestinians in Gaza over the course of 4 horrific military assaults, including hundreds of children:

2008: Israel murdered 412 Palestinian children.
2012: Israel murdered 42 Palestinian children.

(Continued)
2014: Israel murdered 578 Palestinian children.
2021: Israel murdered 66 Palestinian children.

In the past day, the Israeli military has killed at least 40 Palestinians in Gaza, including children, and injured more than 300 others.

In days, all remaining hospitals will be forced to shut down as Israel cuts off Gaza’s electricity. There are no bomb shelters in Gaza. There is nowhere to run.

Year after year, the Israeli military unleashes horrific all-out attacks on defenseless Palestinians in Gaza. And year after year, the US government gives Israel nearly $4 billion to fund this senseless violence.

These are war crimes. Palestinians deserve freedom.