The Palestinian Death Toll in Gaza is Rising. Here's What You Can Do About It
Monday marked the deadliest single day in Gaza’s history since 2014, but in Trump world, it was a “big day” for Israel.
To understand the disconnect, just look at the juxtaposition of two events that happened simultaneously on Monday, within 50 miles of one another: In one, see Gaza up in smoke as Palestinian protesters are mowed down by the Israeli military; while in the other, Ivanka Trump tests out her best Vanna White-impression at the unveiling of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
More than 55 Palestinians were declared dead by late Monday, and thousands more wounded, ratcheting up the total death count to above 100 since the unrest broke out on March 30. More “Great March of Return” protests in Gaza are expected through Tuesday, on what Palestinians call Nakba Day, commemorating their mass expulsions and flight after the state of Israel was formed.
As the situation in Gaza continues to develop rapidly, here are ways to get involved.
Major international organizations are condemning the killings — but not the U.S.
Palestinian authorities say Israel’s actions amount to war crimes, and they’re calling on the international community to take a stand against the violence. The United Nations has called the killings “shocking” and “outrageous human rights violations,” while Human Rights Watch has described it as a “bloodbath.” Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #Gaza.
President Donald Trump, for his part, hasn’t commented on the mass killings since he posted this tweet earlier Monday morning:
Amnesty International is calling for an arms embargo on Israel
For weeks, the international human rights organization has called out the Israeli military for “using excessive force and live ammunition in a totally deplorable way.” Now, it wants governments worldwide to impose an arms embargo on Israel, and to no longer supply the country with military equipment if snipers continue to gun down unarmed protesters.
“This is a violation of international standards, in some instances committing what appear to be wilful killings constituting war crimes,” Philip Luther, research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said in a statement on Monday.
Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed and running out of supplies
Administrators at the al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza City say emergency services are at a “critical point” as medical workers try to cope with an influx of more than 400 wounded demonstrators. At least one health worker was among those killed on Monday, according to the World Health Organization. Hundreds more volunteers have been shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, says it has sent teams of medical responders to five hospitals in the Gaza Strip since Monday morning. The humanitarian organization is also donating medical supplies to at least two hospitals in the area. Go here to find out more about contributing to those efforts through MSF.
Another group call American Near East Refugee Aid, or ANERA, is also accepting donations for medical supplies to aid Gaza.
Jewish-American activists are protesting the White House
Some 150 activists with the organization If Not Now shut down traffic in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning, and rallied for nearly two hours outside of the Trump International Hotel in protest of the violence in Gaza and the decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Organizers are also asking for American Jews to sign their petition and to join demonstrations using the hashtag #EmbassyOfFreedom.
