Unprecedented Turnout

Organizers reported that more than one million people participated in the rally, making it one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in the country’s history. Participants from various walks of life, including students, political activists, and members of civil society, joined the march, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Israeli aggression.” Arab News​

Symbolic Protests and Demands

The rally featured symbolic acts, including carrying bundles representing dead bodies to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. Protesters also displayed images of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of supporting Israeli policies. AP News​

The Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh presented several demands during the rally:

• Justice at the international court over the alleged massacre and ongoing attacks by Israeli forces in Gaza.​

• The interim government to terminate all contracts involving Israeli institutions.​

• A nationwide boycott of products made by companies associated with Israel. ​

The rally received backing from various political parties and organizations, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Islamist groups and other civil society organizations also expressed their solidarity with the cause. ​AP News

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation with a population of approximately 170 million, has no diplomatic relations with Israel and officially supports an independent Palestinian state. ​AP News

Nationwide Impact

While the main rally took place in Dhaka, similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the country, indicating widespread public support for the Palestinian cause. ​AP News

The “March for Gaza” rally underscores Bangladesh’s strong stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and reflects the nation’s commitment to advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people.

Among the first patients brought in that morning was a young boy—quiet, badly wounded, and one of the first cases operated on. “Sick, injured children who are quiet are always more concerning than those who cry or scream,” the doctor explained. “A quiet child is an unwell child.”

The hospital was overwhelmed. During the first 20 minutes, doctors spent their time pronouncing the dead—most of them children. Many of the deceased adults, especially men, were taken directly to the morgue. Women and children, however, were brought into the emergency area, where teams worked desperately to save lives.

In one especially heartbreaking moment, the doctor recalled treating three critically injured children on a single trolley—there simply weren’t enough beds. Forced to act fast, he picked up the young boy and ran up four flights of stairs to the operating room. “I didn’t trust the elevators,” he said. “There were bombings going on. I didn’t want to get stuck in an elevator with a dying child.”

The boy had internal bleeding and had already lost two or possibly three siblings. When asked if the child’s parents were still alive, the doctor said that, all too often, at least one parent was dead or severely injured.

Next to him in the ward was another child—a five- or six-year-old girl—who was the second patient he operated on that day. She had injuries to her kidney, liver, spleen, and intestines from shrapnel. “That’s what shrapnel does,” he said. “It’s high-velocity, sharp metal flying in all directions—thousands of pieces.” Days later, when she woke up, they discovered a piece of shrapnel lodged in her brain. She was completely paralyzed on the right side of her body.

He also described a one-year-old boy with abdominal injuries. When the child regained consciousness, he began calling out for his mother—who had died in the attack.

Visiting the mortuary the following day, the doctor described scenes of unimaginable horror. Two rooms, each able to hold 25 bodies, were completely full, with additional bodies and body parts lying on the floor. “At least 60 to 70 bodies,” he said. “Many were unrecognizable. Some will never be claimed, and even when they are, the family members might be dead too. They’ll be buried in unmarked mass graves.”

After a brief moment of calm in the afternoon, the doctor left the operating room to get a drink of water. Walking through the 20-bed intensive care unit, he saw every bed occupied. When he returned later that evening—around the time when patients were breaking their fast—half the beds were empty. “They had all died,” he said. “That’s the reality when you’re dealing with a mass casualty situation.”

News source- Middle East Eye

One key issue is Netanyahu’s approach to negotiations. While there are ongoing talks between Hamas and international mediators, Netanyahu’s rhetoric appears focused on escalating the conflict rather than resolving it. Critics argue that his threats of seizing land in Gaza are more about political posturing than actual military feasibility. The United States, the Arab League, and even segments of Israel’s own political establishment see these statements as impractical unless Hamas releases Israeli hostages.

Domestically, Netanyahu’s handling of the war has drawn significant criticism. Many Israelis, including those who have served in the military for extended periods, are increasingly unwilling to return to what they see as a futile war. Some believe the conflict is no longer about national security but rather Netanyahu’s political survival. Deep divisions within Israeli society have also been exacerbated by the war, further complicating the government’s ability to unify the nation.

Beyond the battlefield, Israel’s economy is feeling the strain. The recent approval of the 2025 budget highlights these financial pressures, with $30 billion allocated to defense compared to just $25 billion for education. The international credit agency Moody’s has issued warnings about the high political risk to Israel’s economy, citing concerns over the long-term effects of the war. Rising costs of living, real estate instability, and declining foreign investment are beginning to take their toll on Israeli citizens.

Economists warn that Israel has not yet faced the full financial impact of the war. While current hardships include immediate economic downturns, the long-term consequences could be even more severe, affecting generations to come. As the war drags on, the question remains: at what cost will Netanyahu’s government continue its current course?

The Israeli army has also reestablished control of the Netzarim Corridor, effectively splitting Gaza and isolating residents from one another. The situation on the ground has become increasingly dire, with hospitals overwhelmed and running out of medical supplies. Humanitarian aid remains blocked, deepening the suffering of those desperately in need of food, water, and medical care. Civil defense teams are struggling to rescue people buried under collapsed buildings, but with resources stretched thin, many victims remain unreachable.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened significantly, with no safe shelter available for civilians. Despite evacuation orders directing families to move to so-called safer areas, those locations have also been heavily bombarded. Residents have nowhere to go, and the continuous Israeli military operations leave little hope for relief. The destruction and loss of life continue to mount, further exacerbating an already catastrophic situation.

As the airstrikes persist, the people of Gaza face an uncertain and devastating reality. With no sign of de-escalation, the humanitarian crisis is expected to deepen, leaving thousands at risk without basic necessities or protection from ongoing attacks.

News source- Al Jazeera

In one particularly harrowing account, a Palestinian resident described the horror of seeing an entire family killed in an instant. “All of them in pieces, and our house collapsed on us,” the survivor recounted. Their home, located directly next to the targeted residence, was severely damaged in the explosion. Rescue workers are still pulling bodies from beneath the debris, desperately searching for survivors in what has been described as the most intense assault since January 19th.

The latest wave of bombings comes after Israel seemingly unilaterally ended a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that had been in place since January. Hamas has now called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and bring an end to the attacks, urging international pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign.

The Israeli military, however, insists that the renewed airstrikes are necessary, claiming they are operating under the direct orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli officials have stated that the intensification of military action is in response to stalled negotiations over the release of Israeli captives and Hamas’s refusal to accept proposed agreements.

The White House has confirmed that Israel consulted the Trump administration prior to launching the strikes, signaling Washington’s continued involvement in the conflict. Officials have warned that there will be consequences, raising the specter of an all-out return to full-scale war.

As the conflict rages on, the Palestinian death toll has climbed beyond 60,000, marking yet another grim milestone in a war that has spanned 17 months with no clear end in sight. The international community remains divided on how to respond, but for those on the ground in Gaza, survival is the only priority as they brace for further attacks in the days to come.

News source- Al Jazeera

These kitchens, which have been a crucial source of daily meals for displaced families, are now unable to function. There is no food, no gas, no wood—nothing left to keep them running. Starvation is no longer a slow threat; it is an immediate crisis affecting men, women, and children alike.

“I used to rely on this kitchen to feed my family,” said one resident. “Now, even they are struggling. My children are crying from hunger, and I have nothing to give them. I can’t afford to buy food—there is simply no way to survive.”

The border closures have done more than block food; they have blocked survival. As each day passes, the siege tightens, leaving Gaza’s most vulnerable without the basic means to sustain life. The people are not asking for luxury, only the right to eat, to nourish their children, and to live another day.

But as the kitchens close and supplies run out, even that right is slipping away.

Image source- Al Jazeera

“As hospitals went out of operation, we were forced to run from one area to another, hoping to find a facility offering dialysis,” Nad said. Her husband carried their son throughout their search until he was detained by the Israeli military, leaving Nasim stranded. Fortunately, kind strangers returned him to his mother.

The Rantisi Hospital, the only facility offering pediatric dialysis in Gaza, has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict. Previously equipped with 14 dialysis machines, it now functions with only six. Its capacity has dropped dramatically, now serving just 13 patients—less than a third of what it once could accommodate. The Israeli military’s attacks have forced many child patients to flee south, seeking care at Al-Aqsa Hospital. Sessions have been cut from three to two per week, and their duration shortened, leading to fatal consequences for many children.

Dialysis is essential for removing excess fluids and toxins from the blood when kidneys fail. Patients need clean water and a balanced diet, yet the war has made these necessities unattainable for many displaced families. Power outages have crippled water desalination plants, leaving vulnerable patients at risk of infections from contaminated water.

Even before the war, obtaining dialysis in Gaza was a challenge. Now, with the healthcare system collapsing, hundreds of children who rely on regular treatment are struggling to survive in dire conditions.

News source- Al Jazeera

After the bombing, he contacted civil defense authorities for help, but they admitted their resources were limited. Lacking the necessary equipment, they could not dig through the collapsed building to recover his children. They assured him that once heavy machinery arrived, they would attempt to retrieve their bodies. But as time drags on, hope feels distant.

His plea extends beyond his own family. Many other victims remain trapped beneath rubble across Gaza. He calls on international institutions to provide the equipment needed to recover them. For now, he does what he can with simple tools, breaking through concrete in hopes of finding his children.

Since December 24, 2023, he has been searching. A year and a half has passed, yet peace remains out of reach. Despite the pain and overwhelming odds, he clings to one thing—hope.

News source- Al Jazeera

Israel had previously allowed over 40,000 trucks to deliver more than half a million tons of food to Gaza, providing over 3,000 calories per person. Despite this, the humanitarian situation remains dire. By January 2024, 1.1 million people in Gaza were suffering from “catastrophic food insecurity” (IPC Phase 5), the final stage before famine. This crisis has been exacerbated by the longstanding blockade, which has hindered resources and imports for over 18 years.

The conflict has also devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. Food stores have been bombed, farmers killed, and those trying to provide food for the population have been targeted. One particularly tragic event was the “Flower Massacre,” where survivors risked their lives in the hopes of saving their children from starvation.

International condemnation is growing, with several nations and human rights organizations accusing Israel of violating international law by using starvation as a weapon of war. The question now is whether the global community will take action to hold those responsible accountable for these atrocities.

News source- Al Jazeera