The globe stands silent as Gaza erupts anew. Missiles plummet onto crowded regions, turning whole communities into debris. Kids trapped beneath collapsed houses, clinics brimming with casualties, and complete clans annihilated in one explosion. This conflict transcends mere warfare; it’s a calculated obliteration of a populace. It reads like an ongoing extermination campaign, happening right before our eyes, despite the indifference from those capable of intervention.
The current crisis didn’t emerge suddenly; it stems from more than a century of forced relocation, occupation, and suppression. The roots of this dispute go back to 1917 when the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, pledging support for establishing a Jewish state in Palestine without considering the native Arab inhabitants. This action laid the groundwork for future conflicts. In 1948, after Israel proclaimed independence, approximately 750,000 Palestinians were forcefully displaced during an event referred to as the Nakba (catastrophe). Ever since, each effort towards reconciliation has been clouded by further territorial annexations, additional military occupations, and escalating violence.
Starting with the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel gained control over Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, history has perpetuated a recurring pattern of suppression and defiance. Palestinians have resisted through various means, including nonviolent demonstrations and rebellions such as the Intifadas. However, battling an adversary that dominates airspace, territory, and maritime zones poses significant challenges. Since 2007, Gaza has faced severe restrictions, leading to shortages of essential supplies like food, medical resources, and power. This area often described as the globe’s biggest outdoor detention center holds countless individuals who endure hardship while global powers engage only in diplomatic rhetoric.
Now let’s talk about ballistic missiles—why such extensive devastation? Why do we see weapons designed primarily for massive combat operations being used against an unarmed populace? In earlier times, the global community recognized the risks associated with unrestrained military capabilities. This understanding led to treaties like SALT and START, both intended to curb the spread of armaments. However, those accords hold little weight nowadays as sophisticated weaponry flows freely across borders. As a result, what were once localized skirmishes escalate into wholesale slaughters. A key factor behind why World War II consisted of just two major conflicts was the awareness that without stringent controls over arms, mankind could self-destruct. It appears that crucial lesson from history has slipped our minds.
It’s astounding how hypocritical this situation is. These world leaders who advocate for human rights still support the financing of weaponry that exacerbates such tragedies. Every year, the U.S. contributes vast sums in military assistance to Israel, guaranteeing relentless bombings. News outlets twist reality, casting Israel as merely protecting itself while downplaying Palestinian casualties to cold numbers. Platforms initially meant for uncovering truths have turned into arenas where Palestinian perspectives are suppressed; their narratives face censorship through shadow banning or outright deletion.
Sun Tzu famously stated, "War is a means to an end." Yet, what ultimate objective can justify such devastation? What reason could possibly warrant the killing of innocents? After previous horrors, humanity pledged "never again," but now we find ourselves witnessing another group being annihilated while global leaders quibble over semantics. How many lives must be lost before action is taken? How high must the death toll rise before peace becomes more than mere rhetoric and instead a tangible fact?
Global leaders need to awaken. They should respond not just with hollow declarations but with genuine repercussions for those who breach human rights and armament agreements. The embargo on Gaza has to cease. Israel ought to face responsibility for its alleged war crimes. Selling weapons to tyrannical governments needs to halt immediately. The Palestinians’ right to self-governance must be acknowledged. Now is the moment for action, not quietude. This situation transcends injustice; it constitutes an offense against humanity’s very essence.
The conflict in Palestine goes beyond mere territorial disputes; it encompasses issues of justice, human dignity, and the basic right to existence. Until global action takes place, the annals of history will keep being stained with the blood of those who are uninvolved.
• Leadership coach, historian, and public speaker Agbaje-Atoyebi pens this piece from Lagos.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
