On-ground offensive

After nearly two weeks of sustained and relentless aerial bombings in Gaza, the Israeli government has now moved on to what they claim is “phase two” of the war, with IDF forces entering the enclave to conduct an on-ground offensive against Hamas. Around 1.1 million Palestinians have been told to relocate south of the strip or otherwise be considered complicit with Hamas.

The amplified efforts by Western mouthpieces to shape the narrative has weakened to a pathetic level, with a discerning global audience expressing skepticism against it and coming out in large numbers to protest against Israel’s atrocities. Doing so in such a time becomes a moral imperative. Leaders and experts from around the world are being asked to condemn Hamas for October 7 while blatantly ignoring the war crimes that are being committed by Israel. However, as the onslaught continues, Israel’s intentions have become clear and their narrative has shifted from the “right to self-defence” against a terrorist group to fulfilling the prophecy of Isiah and providing Jews with a separate homeland through a “second war of independence” by killing en masse “human-animals.” To break this down, the Israeli PM has invoked an extreme interpretation of a religious text to justify the killing of thousands of innocent people — sounds familiar doesn’t it.

Amidst these developments, the urgent call for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds is imperative. However, Israel’s explicit refusal to halt military operations, even at the cost of innocent lives, raises serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. Criticism has, therefore, been directed at Arab states and international stakeholders, particularly the UN, for perceived ineffectiveness in holding Israel accountable and negotiating a truce. Do not forget that history will remember those who have bene complicit.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2023.

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