Gaza Bleeds While the World Watches in Silence
Even today, the explosive fumes of bombardment rise, burning lives and hope alike. The screams of people—women, children, and even animals—echo in fear throughout the small valley of the Middle East. The ongoing massacre has become normalized since October 7, 2023.
In an era dominated by nation-states, where global organizations claim to uphold peace and human rights, international law promises justice, feminists advocate for women’s empowerment, and environmental and animal welfare organizations work to protect life, the bloodshed of Palestinians by Israel stands as a glaring contradiction. It exposes the hypocrisy of global powers who claim to be the champions of human rights and democracy.
This contradiction is even more painful when one considers that the debris in Gaza is not just physical—it contains the shattered dreams of students, the silenced songs of children, the folklore of grieving mothers, and the hopes of countless young men, all turned to ashes by Israeli war crimes. These heinous acts have not spared the environment or the animals.
Adding to this humanitarian disaster, since October 7, 2023, thousands have lost their lives, homes, families, mental stability, and happiness. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 61,709 people have died, including 17,492 children. Over 111,588 have been injured, and approximately 14,222 are missing and presumed dead. Israeli airstrikes have demolished schools, hospitals, universities, commercial zones, food production facilities, and water infrastructure—plunging the population into dire vulnerability.
Moreover, numerous reports have highlighted the ongoing harassment of women and children by Israeli soldiers. Injured civilians are being treated without anesthesia, and women are forced to give birth prematurely without any medical support—in an environment where death rains down in the form of bombs.
The crisis deepens further as Israel has devastated agriculture and food sources while simultaneously obstructing humanitarian aid, worsening the suffering. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has issued 75 evacuation orders, accelerating the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. In addition, over 200 journalists have been killed for documenting this genocide—journalists who once believed in Israel when it was granted refuge after being expelled from Germany.
Israel continues to act with impunity, shamelessly violating international laws. It has used white phosphorus—a chemical weapon—against Palestinians, clearly breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention. These weapons are not only toxic to humans but also catastrophic for the environment and wildlife. According to an Al Jazeera report, 68% of Gaza’s cropland has been destroyed, increasing ecological damage and food insecurity. Animals in Gaza—both wild and domesticated—are suffering injuries, starvation, and psychological trauma. Organizations like Four Paws have reported that animals in homes, farms, shelters, and captivity have been killed, displaced, or left to suffer.
Therefore, it becomes evident that innocent beings—children and animals alike—are paying the price of what many see as a form of Zionist extremism, backed and funded by powerful global players who brand themselves as peacekeepers.
The infrastructural devastation provides further testimony. As reported by Al Jazeera, 92% of Gaza’s housing units have been destroyed. Additionally, 80% of commercial facilities, 68% of road networks, 88% of educational institutions, and 55% of healthcare centers have been annihilated by Israeli attacks.
These alarming figures reflect more than destruction—they represent a humanitarian catastrophe, underscoring both the suffering of Palestinians and the utter failure of international institutions and global powers to uphold peace and justice.
Beyond the immediate suffering, the global implications of Israel’s actions are significant. This aggression has sparked hatred against Jewish communities worldwide, putting peaceful Jewish minorities at risk. It is also providing fertile ground for non-state actors to exploit the regional instability. Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians is triggering demographic changes and escalating the refugee crisis, hindering development and investment—thereby impacting the global economy.
In this context, the inability of major global enterprises to stop Israel’s war crimes has severely damaged public trust in institutions. Furthermore, the systematic erasure of Palestinian identity is another alarming dimension. According to Social Identity Theory, when a group is pushed toward identity annihilation, it may resort to extreme measures—such as armed resistance—to reclaim its existence.
Consequently, if unchecked, Israel’s assault on human and environmental rights may thrust the world into a cyclone of conflict and long-term vulnerability.
Despite the bleakness, there is a growing wave of civilian resistance worldwide. People are boycotting Israeli products, while several nations—including Ireland—have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. Politicians, human rights defenders, and social activists are condemning Israel’s actions with increasing urgency. Influencers are calling out corporations like Microsoft for supporting Israel’s military campaign, while Jewish-American voices such as Dave Smith, political leaders like Bernie Sanders, veterans like Captain Josephine Guilbeau, and public figures like actor Michael Malarkey have openly criticized the Israeli government and AIPAC. Many argue that AIPAC exerts undue influence over U.S. politics, diluting the country’s democratic principles.
Symbolic acts of protest are also emerging. For example, Greenpeace activists recently dyed the pond outside the U.S. embassy red, symbolizing the blood of Palestinians and marking 76 years of Israeli occupation and violence.
In light of these developments, it is clear that the crisis demands an urgent and multidimensional response. Despite the inaction of major global institutions such as the United Nations, International Court of Justice, and International Criminal Court, there remains a path forward. What is needed now is a two-fold response: an immediate ceasefire and a comprehensive post-war rehabilitation strategy.
To begin with, an arms embargo must be imposed on Israel to halt further aggression. International legal bodies must hold Israel accountable for its war crimes. Simultaneously, pressure must be applied to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza, including water, food, and medical supplies, which Israel has deliberately blocked—endangering the lives of all living beings.
In parallel, more nations should recognize Palestine as a sovereign state to counteract Zionist agendas of racial cleansing. Moreover, economic sanctions—such as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)—should be enacted to apply both financial and political pressure on the Israeli government.
Following a ceasefire, the priority must shift to rebuilding Palestine. Even before the war, the region struggled with low literacy and high poverty rates. Investments in education, healthcare, and food security are now critical. Once stability is restored, international stakeholders must pursue viable political solutions—whether through a one-state model, two-state framework, or confederation—based on widespread global consensus.
Tragically, much damage has already been done. Yet, hope persists. The responsibility now lies with sovereign states and international legal institutions to restrain Israel and prevent further atrocities. If decisive actions are not taken soon, global peace will be at risk, and Israel may well succeed in advancing its vision of a “Greater Israel”—as long warned by scholars like Dr. Israr Ahmed through interpretations of Hadith.
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Spine Times.
Aisha Khalid
The writer is a computer systems engineer with a keen interest in politics and social issues.
