Callous invasion

It is barbarism all around as Israel has opted for ground offensive on Gaza. Media reports and pictorials present a horrifying scenario as hapless Palestinians are seen running helter-shelter, and there is no pause in air and ground incursion from the Jewish state. The ‘targeted raid’ on ground inside Gaza is backed by fighter jets and drones, and there is relentless bombing. The Zionist trigger-happiness has claimed more than 7,000 Palestinian lives, including at least 3,500 children, along with immeasurable loss to property in the world’s largest concentration camp. The point that Israel made use of IDF ground forces, accompanied by IDF fighter jets and UAVs, is highly condemnable and is a crime against humanity.

The contention from Tel Aviv that it was meant to penalise Hamas is absurd. It is “highly desired”, said an Israeli army statement on Friday, as it prepared for a land invasion. The confrontation has been escalated to an extent that it is now innocent Palestinians who are at the receiving end. What Israel is doing is escalating the issue and non-state extra-territorial characters will sooner than later find themselves plunged in it. Secondly, the incursion has come as an open defiance against international public opinion, especially the United Nations that is standing against this worst-ever intransigence and cold-blooded murder by one of the most callous state in the world.

Gazans must be saved from this brutality, and rather than tanks rolling in humanitarian assistance must make its way. Israel must be mindful that its actions are devoid of logic, and even military ethics. It is use of indiscriminate force, and is simply unacceptable. Israel must be made to face the music. This is unbecoming. The statement from defence minister that it will open a front of its choosing is an open and shut case of macho-ism. The world must unison now or it will be a major catastrophe with more state-centric players staking their claim too. Enough of looking the other way round.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2023.

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