AMIDST the suffering endured by the children of Gaza, the impassioned plea for justice transcends mere rhetoric; it resonates as a resounding summons to the moral compass of humanity, beckoning to its collective conscience, should it remain intact. This narrative, steeped in sorrow and strife, has plagued the region since the inception of the colonial project. For the besieged inhabitants of Gaza, it is a harrowing saga that has unfolded over the years, burdening them with a weight of despair and indignation too burdensome to bear.
Newly uncovered proof of unlawful assaults in the region, collected by Amnesty International, underscores Israel’s flagrant disregard for international humanitarian laws. In their relentless pursuit, they are guaranteeing the proliferation of a generation rendered malnourished, destitute, subjected to incessant bombardment, and deprived of the most fundamental pillars of existence: healthcare, education, and the nurturing embrace of parental affection. In a poignant declaration made recently, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), entrusted with the solemn duty of aiding displaced Palestinians, has underscored a harrowing reality: that more children have been killed in Israel’s war against the Palestinians in Gaza than in four years of conflict around the world. This stark revelation not only underscores the gravity of the situation in the region but also serves as a testament to the disproportionate suffering borne by the most vulnerable amidst the throes of geopolitical discord.
In the year 2024, it is almost unfathomable that despite global abundance, Palestinian children face the harrowing spectre of starvation. International law is clear as daylight on the point of starvation as a war crime. Both Protocol II of the 1977 Amendment to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of 1998 stand as pillars of this principle, leaving no room for ambiguity or escape.
Israel’s actions in Gaza are not merely erasing generations; they are etching a grim legacy of devastation. Children, innocent and vulnerable, fall victim, their lives taken in numbers reminiscent of the darkest chapters of warfare’s brutality. This transcends mere politics; as it delves into the essence of human existence. It speaks to the irreversible loss of lives and the enduring trauma inflicted upon survivors. It echoes the confusion and fear experienced by countless innocent souls caught in the crossfire of incomprehensible violence.
It condemns the dehumanization of Palestinians by those in positions of power, who justify brutal collective punishment under the guise of maintaining order—an unforgivable sin against the very essence of moral decency. Perhaps, to unravel the tragic reality of why so many innocent lives, particularly children, are caught in the turmoil of Gaza, one should refer to the genocidal intentions emanating from Israeli officials and politicians. We need to listen to how Israel describes the children of Gaza. In a later deleted tweet, Netanyahu described Israel’s conflict with Hamas as a battle between “the children of light and the children of darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle.”
In this deluge of human suffering, one might turn to the timeless wisdom of James Baldwin. He poignantly reminds us that every child, regardless of geography or circumstance, belongs to all of humanity. Indeed, failing to acknowledge this fundamental truth may reveal a deficiency in our moral compass. Thus, let it be known: that the defense of children is not merely an obligation but a sacred trust, inviolable and unwavering in its resolve. Regardless of our political affiliations, individual viewpoints, or personal histories, it is imperative that we muster every ounce of strength to address this genocide.
We must heed the silent cries of these innocent souls, offering not just material aid, but the warmth of human empathy and understanding. Urgency demands a concerted global effort towards lasting peace, sparing future generations from the anguish of this perpetual conflict. It is imperative that the global community rises with concerted diplomatic vigor, wielding the power of persuasion to forge a path towards swift and decisive resolution.
We have been witnessing this cycle of violence and retaliation for decades, and the longer it goes on, the more we lose—and children lose most of all. Given the landmark interim ruling by the International Court of Justice, affirming the tangible and imminent risk of genocide, there is an increasing urgency for all states to push for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. In the insightful analysis by Norman Finkelstien, he illuminates a disturbing reality, “when you say that your enemy is Amalek”, in the midst of a war, in a country that is schooled in the bible, “then you are calling for the destruction and the killing of every man and woman and child.” With each passing moment left unattended, the specter of suffering looms larger than ever, bearing witness to the irretrievable loss of cherished souls.
This is a struggle to preserve the floor, or even the basement, of our humanity. It is a battle waged against the encroaching shadows of indifference and cruelty, a solemn quest to uphold the sanctity of compassion and empathy in the face of adversity. Taking the life of a child is an egregious and indefensible act. Yet, to perpetrate such violence over many years, casting a long shadow of fear under which subsequent generations must live, is an abominable transgression beyond redemption.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, as conscientious observers of humanity’s collective narrative, to vehemently oppose such atrocities with every fiber of our being. For in our failure to do so, we risk not only the sanctity of those precious innocent lives lost but also the erosion of our own moral fabric.
—The writer is an Advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan. She is also a Columnist and Member of International Bar Association.
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