The War in Israel and Gaza Continues

Hamas militants launched rockets across southern Israel and broke through the Israel-Gaza border, killing and kidnapping a number of civilians Oct. 7, the Associated Press reported. This was a surprise attack by the militant group Hamas which impacted several nearby towns and a music festival during the initial raid.

In an Oct. 11 email statement sent to all students by the Division of Student Development, Loyola acknowledged the violence in Israel and Gaza and offered resources for affected students.

“The heartbreaking violence in Israel and Gaza represents a deeply emotional and complex issue for people from all backgrounds,” the email read. “Loyola University Chicago stands in support of our students and entire community, especially those most directly affected. We pray for peace in the region, and in our own community.”

More than 4,000 people have died since the start of the war, according to AP. At least 199 people, mostly civilians, ranging from infants to older adults, are being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, AP reported. 

The Gaza Strip is a 25 mile-long piece of land controlled by Hamas wedged between southwestern Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea with over 2 million occupants, according to AP.

Israel declared war on Hamas Oct. 8, greenlighting an escalation in the Israeli military’s response to the conflict. This included intensified airstrikes in Gaza and continued fighting with remaining militants in the areas surrounding Gaza, according to AP.

President Joe Biden described the acts of Hamas as “sheer evil” in a statement released by The White House.  

“More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered — not just killed, slaughtered — in Israel,” Biden said in the statement.  “Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed.”

Israel ordered 1 million residents to flee northern Gaza, including Gaza City, Oct. 13 in expectation of a ground invasion, AP reported. The World Health Organization, a specialized organization under the United Nations, urged Israel to rescind the evacuation order and condemned attacks on hospitals in northern Gaza, according to a WHO statement.

“The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients, and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity, and alternative shelter for those displaced,” the statement said. “WHO calls for the immediate active protection of civilians and health care. Evacuation orders must be reversed.”

At least 500 people died in a Gaza City hospital Oct. 17 after an explosion, AP reported. Those inside the hospital included wounded Palestinians and the cause or source of the blast is currently unknown.