Amid U.S. election, Gaza faces heavy bombardment and mass displacement

As Americans cast their votes for the next president, the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank intensifies, with Israel ramping up its military operations against Palestinians.

In the 24 hours from Tuesday to Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes and shelling claimed the lives of at least 61 people across Gaza.

The forced displacement of civilians continues in the north, with families fleeing Beit Lahiya amid ongoing shelling, including a third consecutive day of attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital.

In Lebanon, Israeli warplanes raided the southern town of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr in Tyre district.

Severe damage to private and commercial properties was reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

The news agency added that Israeli warplanes also pounded the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif and the village of Arnoun in the Nabatieh governorate.

Despite a binding order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to cease military actions in Rafah, Israel has continued its offensive, which Palestinian groups argue may violate obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Since October 7, Israel’s military campaign has reportedly led to the killing of 43,391 Palestinian deaths and left more than 102,347 injured, with at least 10,000 individuals unaccounted for and feared trapped under the rubble.

Human rights organizations report that women and children make up a significant portion of the casualties. The conflict has also resulted in the mass displacement of nearly two million people across Gaza, with most displaced residents now concentrated in the overcrowded southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border. This ongoing forced migration marks the largest mass exodus of Palestinians since the Nakba of 1948.