YDS 2021 in Review
2021 is an anthology of articles, photo essays and opinions of students in international relations. With a year full of decade-defining events across the globe, this anthology is a must-read to reflect upon the year that was 2021. This anthology was created by Young Diplomats Society. For more information, please visit our website www.theyoungdiplomats.com.
2021 is an anthology of articles, photo essays and opinions of students in international relations. With a year full of decade-defining events across the globe, this anthology is a must-read to reflect upon the year that was 2021.
This anthology was created by Young Diplomats Society. For more information, please visit our website www.theyoungdiplomats.com.
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"The violence saw the
displacement of more than
72,000 people..."
The Israeli Defence Forces launched more than 1,500 airstrikes into Gaza,
destroying residential buildings and critical infrastructure. More than 184
residential and commercial properties were struck and pipework
infrastructure was severely damaged, cutting off access to networked
sanitation, sparking humanitarian concerns for the approximately two
million Palestinians living in one of the most densely populated regions in
the world. Hamas launched more than 4,300 rockets and mortar rounds at
Israel, including barrages at the highly populated cities of Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to flee for shelter. Less
than four weeks after the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, Israel launched air
strikes on the Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian militants sending
incendinary balloons into Southern Israel.
The conflict was the fourth war between Israel and Hamas since the Islamic
militant group gained control of Gaza after winning the Palestinian
parliamentary elections in 2007. For Hamas, the conflict enabled them to
revive their spirit as a resistance movement and revitalise claims to the
leadership of Palestine. Fuelling the widespread anger against Israeli police
and encouraging the grass-roots campaign to prevent the eviction of
Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, Hamas utilised the conflict to present
itself as the defender of Jerusalem. For former Isareli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, the conflict fractured his leadership as the distraction
of war loomed, widening divisions within the Israeli government. Shortly
after the airstrikes, Netanyahu lost the Israeli election held in June 2021,
with Israel welcoming Naftali Bennett as prime minister.
The 2021 airstrikes were a confronting reminder of the long-standing
tensions between Israel and Palestine as the region continues to grapple
with complex socio-political and religious disparities against a backdrop of
humanitarian crisis, insecurity and conflict.
P H O T O B Y H A T E M M O U S S A
P A G E 1 1 6 | 2 0 2 1 B Y Y D S
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