Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Palestinian military group Hamas in the Gaza Strip has captured global attention due to the intensity of the violence. One striking aspect of this conflict is the number of airstrikes carried out by Israel in a relatively short period. When we compare these numbers to historical data, it’s evident that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has dropped nearly as many bombs on Gaza in just six days as the United States (US) did in a year-long bombing campaign in Afghanistan in 2019.
The Israeli Air Force announced that it had “dropped about 6,000 bombs against Hamas targets” by October 12, a mere week into the war. To put this into perspective, this figure was only around a thousand bombs less than what the US had dropped on Afghanistan in the entire year of 2019.
According to data from the US Air Forces Central Command (CFACC), the US released a total of 7,423 weapons on Afghanistan in 2019, a record-breaking figure. This surpassed the 7,362 weapons dropped in 2018, highlighting the intensification of the conflict.
Additionally, the data reports revealed that the US deployed 4,729 weapons in Iraq and Syria during the same year. These statistics included the numbers of sorties (flights) and munitions expended by aircraft under CFACC control.
As the Israel-Hamas war approached the one-month mark, Israeli forces continued with relentless airstrikes targeting Palestinian militants in Gaza. Israel’s military has been relentless, with an army spokesperson stating that they had already hit over 12,000 targets.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began in October when Israeli authorities declared war against Hamas, responding to surprise attacks launched by the Palestinian military group on parts of Israel. The consequences of this war have been devastating. According to data from the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has approached 10,000. The ongoing violence has not only taken a heavy toll on Palestinian lives but has also drawn substantial international attention.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains determined to destroy the Palestinian military group Hamas. Despite growing international calls for a ceasefire, he has pledged no letup in the Israeli offensive.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza has escalated. Ground forces have flooded the northern half of the Gaza Strip and tightened their encirclement of Gaza City. This is happening while hundreds of thousands of civilians remain in Gaza City, despite Israeli evacuation orders. The situation is increasingly dire, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.
It is crucial to recognize the severe humanitarian consequences of this ongoing conflict. The loss of innocent lives and the displacement of civilians are deeply distressing, and the world continues to watch with concern. It remains to be seen when and how this conflict will reach a resolution, but international efforts are ongoing to broker a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering in the region.
The Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and their scale, when compared to significant historical conflicts such as the US bombing campaign in Afghanistan, provide a stark reminder of the human toll and destruction associated with such conflicts. The situation underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful resolution in the region and prevent further loss of life.
