A cycle of tension, violence, and suppression that has been ongoing for a century has recently recurred. On October 7, 2023, the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” denoted the start of enormous bloodshed with the Palestinian militant group Hamas firing over 5000 rockets into Israel and infiltrating the borders of Gaza. As a response, Israel declared war and launched hundreds of retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza.

Wars are decided by a few, but they determine the fate of everyone else. It is inevitable for civilians to be entangled in the mess each time a war occurs. More often than not, this innocent population bears the consequences of the dispute made by a minority of leaders.

Hamas has been ruling Gaza since 2007 ever since they seized control of the area from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. It is apparent that Hamas is situated in the Gaza Strip, and should therefore be the focus of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as the war was declared between the two. The current conflict, however, seems to involve far more civilians than usual. The Hamas Health Ministry reported on October 24 that more than 700 Palestinians have been killed overnight due to Israeli airstrikes, setting the record for the highest 24-hour death toll since October 7. In total, at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed since Israeli assault began. Among these deaths are 2,360 children and at least 967 women. The number of deaths is expected to increase as Israel intensifies airstrikes as preparation for a ground offensive. Furthermore, Israeli forces, soldiers, and settlers alike press on the West Bank to attack innocent civilians. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that at least 74 Palestinians have been killed at the West Bank throughout the days following the initial Hamas attack, even though Hamas is not located in the West Bank.

Throughout the battle, numerous war crimes have been committed. On October 17, 2023, Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was bombed, killing at least 437 Palestinians seeking shelter and medical care. Six days after the attack, it remains unclear who the perpetrator was as Hamas has yet to produce or describe any evidence linking Israel to the strike. In their defense, Israel says the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket. Despite the incessant accusations of both parties, the damage has been done to people caught in between. Whoever caused the misfire or deliberate firing violated The International Humanitarian Law and Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that civilian hospitals and their staff must be protected. Article 12 of the Additional Protocol One, adopted under the Geneva Conventions also called for the respect and protection of all medical units or establishments organized for medical purposes at all times. 

Article 54 of the mentioned protocol also released guidelines concerning the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, where it clearly stated that starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited. Article 69 reiterated that the Occupying Power in a state should ensure the provision of food, medical supplies, clothing, bedding, means of shelter, and other supplies essential to the survival of the civilian population of the occupied territory. Both mandates were disregarded by Israel as Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced on October 9, “We are putting a complete siege on Gaza … No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed.” 

Although Israel remains uncooperative, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened on October 21, allowing limited trucks of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Only 20 trucks were allowed in initially, followed by a second convoy of 14 trucks which entered on October 22, Sunday. Despite efforts, the amount of humanitarian aid remains inadequate. According to U.N. officials, Gaza would need at least 100 trucks every day to meet urgent demands, as 2.3 million Palestinians stuck in Gaza are rationing food and drinking dirty water. Gaza’s health care system is facing collapse as doctors reported using sewing needles to stitch wounds and vinegar as disinfectant, due to a shortage of supplies. Terror fills the hospital walls, and screams of patients are heard during surgeries because of anesthesia shortage. Furthermore, Israel banned the delivery of fuel in Gaza, claiming that they prevent Hamas from using it to strengthen their attacks. Israel's decision weakened Gaza's healthcare system even more, as more hospitals will have to shut their electric generators and services due to fuel shortage. The Hamas-run Health Ministry has reported that at least five hospitals have shut down because of damage and fuel shortages.

In retrospect, Palestine has long endured a tragic history at the hands of Israel, a settler colony with military support from Western imperial nations. It has inflicted a long history of hardship on Palestinians, beginning with the Balfour Declaration, continuing through the Nakba, and persisting to this day. Israel's actions have included the killing of innocent civilians, the compelled displacement of people, the illegal claiming of land, and the bombing of refugee communities, all of which have had a significant impact on the lives of Palestinians.

At present, Israel continues to rob innocent Palestinians of the freedom to live securely. The armed guerrilla organization of Hamas pales in comparison with the high-tech and very innovative Israeli military, which is further powered by the support of multiple political leaders from countries such as the US, UK, Australia, and France. While Israel continues to destroy Gaza in retaliation, Hamas fights due to the culmination of long-standing frustration with Israeli policies. This frustration was fueled by the persisting treatment of the Israelis, the continuous pouring of Israeli settlers into their land, and unfair policies imposed by other Western countries that have been trampling on the Palestinians since 1917. 

It would be an understatement to simply call this a conflict. The existing war has taken countless innocent lives, and there are several actions of Israeli officials that seem to aim at Gaza civilians rather than Hamas. A modern colonization and genocide disguised as war is unfolding right before the world’s eyes, but many fail to see it because of the biased media circulating.

Moreover, for Filipinos and the rest of the world who happen to spectate this war through the tranquility of our homes and the comfort of our technological devices, it can be tempting to stay ignorant about the topic. Geographically, we are far from the battlefield. We don’t hear the rockets, explosions, gunshots, and sirens. We don’t witness people close to our hearts be bombed in their sleep. We have the privilege to choose our interests and activities for the day, considering that we are gifted with basic physiological and safety needs. This privilege, though, isn't all for us to savor. 

Although we have different ethnicities, beliefs, and circumstances, a common denominator lies underneath the facade of disparity — we are all humans. We all feel emotions, tremble with the sounds of explosions, fear for the uncertainty of our present, and hope for a more opportune future. 

Caught in between the officials’ insistence on superiority and the incredibly selective media coverage are actual, innocent people who are just trying to make it in this world. These civilians only wish to work, study, travel, dream, and live. They seek the normalcy that most of us often take for granted. Above all, these individuals are greatly ingrained by essential patriotism – something that keeps them going and keeps the fire of optimism burning inside them. 

Whatever race or atrocity has been committed, ethnic cleansing remains unacceptable and a grave offense to the entire humanity. 

It is our duty as humans to help sustain the little amount of hope the people in Palestine have within them. This, we can do, by choosing to take part in ending the war. Take a stand and allow history, unbiased reports, and empathy to guide our opinions and decisions.