The Guardian view on Gaza’s misery: don’t let Palestinian deaths mount in this bleak winter

Key Points:

• Despite a ceasefire announced last October, violence in Gaza has persisted, with an average of four Palestinians dying daily, including a recent Israeli strike on Nasser hospital that killed six people and wounded 28.
• The Israeli military claims the hospital attack targeted Hamas militants, but multiple UN experts and health campaigners accuse Israel of deliberately targeting medical facilities and tolerating high civilian casualties as collateral damage.
• Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by widespread destruction, harsh weather, and blocked aid; Israel is accused of obstructing essential supplies, including tents, sanitation equipment, and food, despite international calls for humanitarian access.
• Political changes in Israel, including the potential formation of a new government by Gadi Eisenkot, are unlikely to improve conditions for Gaza’s civilians, while shifting international opinion, especially in the US, presents an opportunity for increased diplomatic pressure on Israel.
• The article urges global actors to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians during winter and support reconstruction efforts.