Israeli brutality in Gaza has now lasted eleven months, but the massacre of Palestinians continues. According to media reports, an additional 61 Palestinians have been killed. Meanwhile, leaders of intelligence services in the UK and the US have warned that the current world order is at a level of risk unprecedented since the Cold War.
Israel fears neither the International Court of Justice nor the United Nations. It is also unafraid of Russia, China, or Iran. For eleven months, Israel has been playing a game of fire and blood in Gaza, engaged in the genocide of Palestinians. Yet the world watches in silence. The leadership of the US and Western European countries is playing a double game, while the OIC and the Arab League remain practically inactive except for issuing statements. Russia, China, and India adopt strategies based on their interests, shifting from one approach to another.
Protests are occurring against the Netanyahu government in Israel, and intellectuals and writers worldwide are voicing their opposition to Israel. People have staged demonstrations across the globe, but Israel continues with its plans. The global leadership, the apathy of Muslim rulers, and the indifference towards Palestinians are the real causes of their devastation.
When a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood occurs in any country, the international community comes together to address it. Global cooperation is visible in combating diseases like polio and terrorism, but on global disputes like Palestine and Kashmir, everyone remains silent. Out of 195 independent countries, only 22—including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, Indonesia, Algeria, Djibouti, Oman, Yemen, Tunisia, Brunei, Syria, Somalia, North Korea, and Comoros—do not recognize Israel. Additionally, six countries—Cuba, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Venezuela—have withdrawn their recognition of Israel after initially acknowledging it.
In East Timor, the international community made extraordinary efforts for its independence, leading to its emergence as a free country within a few years. Similarly, South Sudan was quickly granted independence. Yet, Palestinians continue to fight for freedom. It would be wonderful to see such urgency in addressing Israeli atrocities against unarmed Palestinians. Many questions remain, but the ones already known are particularly pressing. Israel is also occupying areas of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Reviewing events from the 1947 Palestine war and the 1967 Six-Day War to the 1993 Oslo Accords reveals that Israeli atrocities have not decreased, nor have obstacles been placed in the way of its expansionist ambitions. Instead, more countries, including some Islamic ones, have recognized the illegal state, and now many countries, including the US, have recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Aid to Palestinians has also been cut off.
In the southern Gaza area of Rafah, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have taken refuge. This area was designated a safe zone during the war, but now Israel is targeting Palestinian refugees there as well. While US President Biden expresses concern, the US continues to provide heavy weaponry to Israel. Interestingly, Biden stated that if Israel attacks Rafah, he would halt weapon aid, yet it was later reported that the US did not reduce its supply of munitions to Israel despite fears of a ground attack.
The truth is that the ten-year arms agreement between the US and Israel, signed in 2016, includes arms and munitions already in the pipeline until 2028. Thus, the threat from the US to halt aid if Rafah is attacked is sheer deceit. Among all these distressing news items, there is some good news for Palestine: European countries have begun recognizing Palestine as a state. Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced their recognition, and Israel has recalled its ambassadors from these countries in protest. Colombia has announced the opening of an embassy in Ramallah in the West Bank, and Bolivia has begun severing diplomatic relations with Israel.
Israel and Egypt closely monitor Gaza’s borders to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. On the other hand, the internationally recognized Palestinian government in the West Bank, with the Fatah organization playing a significant role, is also under scrutiny. The West Bank, home to 86% Palestinians and 14% Israeli settlers, has seen a doubling of the settlers’ population in the last two decades. Israel provides these settlements with amenities like water and electricity and ensures their protection with its military.
Today, the Western world prides itself on being the most civilized and advocate of peace. The United Nations raises concerns about human rights violations in wars, and agencies like UNICEF spend vast amounts on the welfare of women and children. Yet, the massacre in Gaza continues. The Israeli military is not only carrying out brutal bombings but also entering homes, destroying property, and assaulting women, children, and the elderly.
This provocation has embroiled an autonomous region not directly involved in the Middle Eastern conflict. Tensions existed along the Israel-Palestine borders before the recent violent incidents due to numerous border disputes and heavy military presence. With the US increasing its military presence in the region, the challenge is to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a larger war. When considering the current situation between Israel and Palestinians, historical events such as the June 5, 1967 war become significant.
Innocent boys and youths are arrested without any charges and subjected to all kinds of atrocities. The inhuman acts of Israel are being protested worldwide, including in Pakistan. Voices of support for Palestinians are rising from the US, UK, France, and around the world. However, the conscience of the decision-making global powers remains perpetually dormant.
It is now time to find a permanent solution to the Palestinian issue because Israel has left no option for Palestinians after committing heinous acts of genocide. Stopping human rights violations is a shared responsibility of the entire world, as Israel is committing severe war crimes. Targeting civilians, populations, hospitals, and journalists is a blatant violation of United Nations human rights commission regulations. If Israeli terrorism is not stopped, other neighboring countries will also be at risk. It is crucial for powerful and influential governments to exert pressure on Israel to cease its war in Gaza and allow aid to reach the civilians. If the ongoing genocide of Palestinians is not halted, it will be a failure of humanity.