Bel Trew’s ‘Ask Me Anything’: The Independent’s correspondent answers your Israel-Gaza conflict questions

The Independent’s Middle East correspondent Bel Trew will be answering your questions live about the ongoing situation in Israel and Palestine

APTOPIX Israelíes Palestinos (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

After a month of simmering tensions over the contested city of Jerusalem, one of the most intense bouts of fighting ever recorded erupted between Palestinians in Gaza and Israeli military.

One week in, despite furious international efforts of mediation, it shows no signs of abating.

Just before 2am Monday morning dozens of Israeli warplanes launched a ferocious wave of airstrikes overnight the army said was targeting an underground network of tunnels used by Hamas militants during conflict.

Civilians on the ground described as many as 50 airstrikes in just 10 minutes, with photos showing the night’s sky over Gaza city alight with fire.

In total more than 200 Palestinians have been killed including 58 children, according to the Gaza health ministry. In Israel, at least 10 have been killed including two children and a soldier.

Across mixed Arab-Jewish cities in Israel and Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank, meanwhile, lawlessness and violence has taken hold amid clashes between Palestinians, Jewish-Israelis and the security forces.

The Independent’s Middle East correspondent Bel Trew has been on the ground across Israel and Palestine for a week and will be answering your questions the ongoing conflict live on this page at 6pm BST today.

All you have to do is register to submit your question in the comments below. If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments box to leave your question.

Don’t worry if you can’t see your question – they will be hidden until Bel joins the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 6pm as Bel tackles as many questions as she can.