The Israel-Hamas war is a decades-long, tragic saga rooted in deep-seated historical, religious, and political tensions. The paradox of the situation is that the war has been going on for so long that people unknowingly forget that it’s ongoing, that is, until there are flare-ups that the world cannot ignore, just like the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, which consumed 1,405 Israeli civilians, placing more than 200 civilians as hostages.
To worsen the situation, different blocs of the world are seated on their various comfortable fences, pointing fingers at who is right and who is wrong.
Undeniably, the truth is that this multifaceted conflict defies such easy categorization.
Personally, the perception of who’s right and who’s wrong in the war is influenced by the historical timeframe one considers, it is dependent on when you start measuring time.
Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization, is labeled a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, while others see it as a legitimate resistance movement.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Hamas has used violence, including rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, leading to undeniable suffering, war crimes and loss of life. This is undeniably wrong and cannot be justified.
On the other hand, many Palestinians view Hamas as a symbol of resistance against Israeli occupation, asserting their right to self-determination. It is important to acknowledge that not all Palestinians support Hamas’ tactics, but they do identify with the struggle for statehood. From this perspective, Hamas is fighting for what they perceive as justice.
However, Israel, founded in 1948, has faced security threats throughout its existence. Israeli civilians have been the target of rocket attacks and terrorist activities, causing fear, injury, and loss of life. In response to these threats, Israel has taken military action, sometimes involving controversial tactics, like airstrikes in densely populated areas. The loss of innocent Palestinian lives in these operations is a tragedy.
Moreover, Israel argues that it has a right to defend itself against threats to its existence, which is recognized under international law. The Israeli government contends that it operates with restraint, taking steps to minimize civilian casualties. But, through the large scale significant strikes, the Israeli Defense Forces has committed different forms of war crimes. Especially the munition that hit the Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City, killing hundreds.
Statistically, reports from Aljazera and CNBC stated, that at least 8,306 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks since October 7; in which 70% of those reported killed in Gaza were children and women, while more than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel.
Labeling one side as unequivocally right and the other as wrong oversimplifies a conflict with deep historical roots and numerous nuances. A just resolution to this conflict must involve dialogue, empathy, and compromise. It should respect the legitimate rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and security.
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The international community has a critical role to play in facilitating peace negotiations and holding all parties accountable for their actions. Escalating violence and further polarization will only perpetuate suffering.
In conclusion, the Israel-Hamas conflict is not black and white. Both sides have legitimate concerns and have committed actions that can be seen as right or wrong, depending on one’s perspective. What is clear is that the status quo is untenable, and a just and lasting peace should be the ultimate goal, even if the path to get there is laden with complexities.