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Written by Jenna Marie Q. Difuntorum
Cartoon by Kyle Pontillo
"History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce." – Karl Marx
A year has passed since Israel launched its apocalyptic military campaign against Gaza, which is part of over 75 years of systematic persecution, displacement, and violence inflicted on Palestinians. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, from October 7, 2023, to October 3, 2024, more than 41,788 people have died, including nearly 16,500 children, and 96,794 have sustained injuries, while more than 10,000 remain missing.
Today, the same horrors are unfolding right in front of our eyes, but Israel’s gaze has now also turned toward Lebanon. The Israeli government's focus on targeting Hezbollah has resulted in relentless bombardments of residential areas in Lebanon, leading to widespread casualties among journalists, UN workers, medical responders, and civilians, including women and children. The world watches in horror as this violent cycle repeats itself, with little regard for international humanitarian law. Despite ongoing devastation, Israel acts with impunity, raising a crucial question: Why does the cycle of violence persist, and why has the international community failed to break the treacherous pattern of destruction?
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has carried out military operations against Hamas in Gaza under the pretext of targeting militant strongholds in densely populated civilian areas. This has led to indiscriminate bombings, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict and serving as collateral damage. The same justification has now been extended to Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 27, 2024, in which he staunchly defended Israel's airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Netanyahu justified these bombings by asserting that Hezbollah does not only limit its military actions to designated military sites; instead, they launch rockets and missiles from within civilian infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, and private homes.
This rhetoric set the stage for Israel’s intensified military actions, with Netanyahu framing these attacks as necessary for self-defense and to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities. The Israeli airstrikes ultimately succeeded in their goal of killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which Netanyahu hailed as a decisive victory to the militant group.
However, the consequences of these actions were far-reaching. While Israel celebrated the elimination of Nasrallah, the bombings of densely populated residential areas led to catastrophic civilian casualties. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed and 9,384 injured since Israel launched an attack in Lebanon. In addition to the rising death toll, the government has reported that more than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli attacks. People are currently seeking refuge in designated shelters, resorting to makeshift camps on the streets. Many have sought refuge in overcrowded schools, which have been converted into temporary shelters but often lack essential resources such as clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.
The tragedy in Lebanon echoes similar military strategies employed by Israel in the Gaza Strip. This is not the first time Israel has used this narrative to justify its actions. In the 2006 Lebanon war, Israel defended its extensive airstrikes by asserting that Hezbollah had integrated military operations into civilian areas. A similar script has played out in Palestine, particularly during the 2008 Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead), the 2014 Gaza War (Operation Protective Edge), and the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis. In each of these instances, Israel launched large-scale military offensives, justifying the bombings of densely populated areas—including homes, schools, mosques, and hospitals—by maintaining that Hamas had embedded its military infrastructure, such as tunnels and command centers, within those areas.
Dehumanization of Palestinians and Lebanese
However, these military justifications—repeatedly cited by Israel—have not only served to defend their actions but have also contributed to a broader narrative that dehumanizes both Palestinians and Lebanese civilians. This pattern, seen time and time again, reduces their suffering to mere military operations rather than the human tragedy it truly is.
Whether in Gaza or Lebanon, the same dehumanizing lens is applied. Entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble and civilian casualties are dismissed as collateral damage, it reflects a dangerous pattern: the lives of Palestinians and Lebanese are deemed expendable. As the number of casualties rises, they are often reduced to faceless statistics, but we must remember—these are people with names, families, jobs, ambitions and dreams just like the rest of us.
Moreover, Israeli officials have frequently employed language that strips Palestinians of their humanity, portraying them as subhuman or savage. This sentiment was starkly displayed in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), where he described the conflict as “a struggle between the children of light and darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant similarly referred to Palestinians as “human animals,” justifying the ongoing military aggression against them
This rhetoric and military strategy have not only been applied to Palestinians but have also extended to Lebanon. Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch once declared, “There is no difference between Hezbollah and Lebanon. Lebanon will be annihilated. It will cease to exist.” Netanyahu’s own remarks at the UN General Assembly underscored this troubling viewpoint when he claimed that “there's a missile in every kitchen and a rocket in every garage,” framing civilian homes in Lebanon as legitimate military targets. This rhetoric implies that the presence of Hezbollah weaponry within civilian areas effectively erases the status of Lebanese civilians as non-combatants.
In the eyes of Israel, the distinctions between civilians and combatants have become dangerously blurred, leading to a pervasive dehumanization of both Palestinians and Lebanese. The narrative that “to be Palestinian is to be Hamas, and to be Lebanese is to be Hezbollah,” a concept perpetuated by leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, effectively strips Palestinians and Lebanese of their humanity and justifies violence against them. Netanyahu skillfully exploits these perceptions to sway public sentiment, underscoring the tragic psychological ramifications of a warfare mentality that seeks to dehumanize the “other.” This strategy not only reinforces a narrative of justice and survival but also attempts to justify Israel’s right to defend itself—even as it continues to bomb other nations, including Syria and Yemen, alongside its operations in Palestine and Lebanon.
This dehumanization not only strips individuals of their identity but also paves the way for horrific consequences. As a result, the devastating reality of civilian bombings unfolds, with homes, schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, and refugee camps being deliberately targeted. The absence of proper evacuation notices or precautions has led to countless civilian casualties, transforming spaces that should serve as sanctuaries into sites of death and destruction.
According to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the Geneva Conventions, parties involved in a conflict are obligated to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians. This includes providing advance warning before an attack when it may affect civilian areas, provided such warnings do not jeopardize the mission.
In both Palestine and Lebanon, however, Israel’s adherence to these principles has been inconsistent. In the recent airstrikes in Lebanon, there have been no confirmed reports of leaflets or warnings being distributed to civilians before the bombings. Moreover, the U.S. Defense Secretary noted that Israel did not notify the U.S. about the strikes until they were already underway (Harvey, Tanno, Sangal, John, & Powell, 2024).
This disregard for civilian safety is even more pronounced in Gaza, where residents are subjected to relentless bombardment with no safe escape routes. Palestinians are effectively trapped within the Gaza Strip, caught between two blockades controlled by Israel and Egypt. This situation exacerbates the dire humanitarian crisis, severely limiting both the movement of people and the influx of essential humanitarian aid.
Systematic Blockades and Attacks on Humanitarian Aid Workers and Medical Responders
“The only thing that should enter Gaza as long as Hamas doesn’t release the hostages it holds is not a gram of humanitarian aid, but hundreds of tons of explosives from the Air Force.” – Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security of Israel
The ongoing conflict has extended beyond mere military operations, with the lives of civilians in both Gaza and Lebanon caught in the crossfire. More troubling is the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, which has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in these regions.
In Gaza, the situation has reached a critical juncture. Despite the desperate need for assistance, there have been numerous instances where Israel has deliberately blocked humanitarian aid. For example, on April 1, 2024, Israeli drones targeted a three-car convoy belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip, tragically killing seven aid workers who were helping and delivering food in the northern Gaza Strip (Goodwin & Mezzofiore, 2024). Moreover, Israel has imposed strict restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, leading to severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. These actions have paralyzed the operations of humanitarian workers, leaving vulnerable populations without the critical support they need.
“This pattern of attacks is either intentional or indicative of reckless incompetence,” said Christopher Lockyear, Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) Secretary-General.
Further complicating this humanitarian crisis, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has faced mounting accusations of systematically dismantling Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Despite aid groups providing GPS coordinates to Israeli authorities to prevent attacks, medical facilities continue to be hit. As of September 25, 2024, data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that 19 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are out of service, while 43% of primary health care centers are only partially functional. This has left Gaza’s medical system on the brink of collapse.
These attacks, coupled with detentions and the denial of essential medical equipment, have critically undermined Gaza’s ability to deliver healthcare services. For instance, two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) doctors, Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila and Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar, along with Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari from the Ministry of Health, tragically lost their lives in an airstrike on Al-Awda Hospital, one of the few remaining operational hospitals in Northern Gaza under extreme conditions (MSF, 2024). The devastation extends further with the killing of prominent Palestinian surgeon Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a professor of orthopedic medicine, who reportedly died due to torture while in Israeli detention, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.
However, this crisis extends beyond Gaza; it resonates throughout Lebanon, where conditions have similarly worsened. On September 28, Israeli airstrikes targeted health facilities in the southern Lebanese villages of Taybeh and Deir Seryan, resulting in the deaths of 11 medical personnel (Lebanese National News Agency, 2024). In the days leading up to this incident, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported the loss of 14 paramedics. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 28 medical workers have been killed in attacks by Israel in Lebanon since Thursday, October 3.
The toll on humanitarian efforts in the region is staggering, with over 224 aid workers killed, including 179 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Tragically, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) family has also mourned the loss of two colleagues and one of their sons. Furthermore, targeted attacks on ambulance convoys underscore the escalating violence against medical responders and humanitarian workers in this war-torn area.
The systematic targeting of medical facilities and personnel raises serious concerns about Israel’s numerous violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of humanitarian aid workers and medical responders from intentional attacks during conflicts. This principle has been blatantly ignored in Israel’s military operations in both Palestine and Lebanon, severely undermining efforts to provide essential care to vulnerable populations.
As we consider these actions, we must grapple with the unsettling questions of “Who is the enemy?" and the implications of strategic justice versus intentional killing. Is the targeting of healthcare providers a calculated measure in a larger strategy, or is it a blatant disregard for human life? Such dilemmas challenge the very notion of justice in warfare and force us to confront the ethical implications of actions taken under the guise of national security.
Targeting of Journalists and Media Workers
Equally alarming is the escalating violence against journalists and media workers, who risk their lives to report on these crises. The ongoing conflict not only imperils healthcare providers but also poses significant dangers to those documenting these events. As of October 4, 2024, the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that at least 176 journalists and media workers had been killed since the war began.
Since October 7, 2024, journalists and media workers have not only faced escalating physical danger, but they have also experienced a surge in assaults, cyberattacks, censorship and even the targeted killings of their family members. Palestinian journalists have been disproportionately affected. Among the most devastating cases is that of Wael Al Dahdouh, Al-Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, who suffered the tragic loss of his wife, son, daughter, and grandson in an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp. His grief deepened further on January 7, when his son, Hamza Al Dahdouh, a journalist and cameraman for Al-Jazeera, was killed alongside a colleague. The two were returning to Rafah after documenting an airstrike when their vehicle was hit by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). More recently, on September 30, 2024, another tragedy unfolded as Palestinian journalist Wafa Aludaini and her family were killed in an Israeli airstrike that directly targeted her home in the central Gaza Strip.
These tragedies reflect a broader strategy to suppress the truth on the ground. In one case, Israeli soldiers ordered journalists to stop filming, with one soldier explicitly saying, “Don’t film me.” The journalists complied, but their equipment, including cameras and IDs, was confiscated. Other reporters, clearly identifiable as press, faced similar harassment, such as when an IDF drone hovered above visibly marked journalists, yet they were still searched, and their memory cards were confiscated at gunpoint. Further illustrating the risks to journalists, on July 24, 2024, four Palestinian reporters, all wearing “Press” vests, were harassed by Israeli soldiers while covering the burning of a military vehicle near Bethlehem, with their equipment seized.
In addition to physical violence, Israel has arrested 54 Palestinian journalists, using administrative detention to keep them imprisoned without formal charges, silencing critical voices from the region. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) records show that 35 of these journalists remain under arrest as of October 1, 2024, although the real number may be higher due to challenges in verifying information. Many families and lawyers are unable to determine why these journalists have been detained, further undermining due process.
This tragedy is not confined to Gaza, but also affecting Lebanon, where at least two journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since September 23, marking the deadliest day for civilians in the country since 2006. Among these victims was journalist Hadi Sayyed, a reporter for Al-Mayadin TV, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his home in southern Lebanon. To further add, Al Jazeera reporters in southern Lebanon and the Dahiyeh have their blood types sewn onto the front of their press jackets, a precautionary measure so that they are injured and require urgent medical attention, emergency responders can immediately see their blood type and administer a transfusion if necessary.
The ongoing violence against journalists and media workers in this conflict highlights grave violations of international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the protection of journalists and media workers during armed conflict. Israel’s systematic targeting of these individuals not only undermines press freedom but also contradicts the Geneva Conventions, which provide specific protections for journalists reporting in crises. These actions foster a climate of fear and erode trust in Israel’s commitment to uphold international legal standards, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and enhanced protections for journalists operating in war zones.
Repeated Justifications and Global Consequences
The pattern of justifying genocide and mass civilian casualties under the guise of self-defense has long-standing global ramifications. Israel’s rationale for its bombings—whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or beyond—revolves around targeting militant groups embedded within civilian infrastructures. This justification, echoed through decades of conflict, has been accepted by many nations as a necessary evil in the name of self-preservation. However, the global consequences of this acceptance are profound.
By continually framing its actions as defensive, Israel has managed to normalize a disproportionate response that not only violates international humanitarian law but also sets a dangerous precedent for other nations. The narrative of “collateral damage” as an inevitable outcome in modern warfare desensitizes the international community to the atrocities of war, allowing other nations to follow suit, hiding behind similar justifications. Countries with their own internal conflicts or geopolitical ambitions may adopt this same rhetoric, turning civilian areas into battlegrounds with little accountability.
Moreover, the dehumanization of entire populations under the justification of rooting out “terrorists” fuels global tensions, exacerbating religious and ethnic divides. These military campaigns further destabilize the Middle East, spreading the impacts of displacement, trauma, and radicalization far beyond its borders. The humanitarian crises that result from such conflicts reverberate globally, influencing migration patterns, economic destabilization, and increased extremist recruitment. As long as these justifications are allowed to stand, the global community will be trapped in a cycle of violence and instability that knows no borders.
Breaking the Cycle
The cycle of violence in Palestine and Lebanon is not just a regional tragedy; it is a scar on the conscience of the entire world. The deafening silence of powerful nations, coupled with their active support for Israel’s military operations, has allowed this devastation to persist unchecked. We cannot afford to remain spectators while entire communities are reduced to ashes and children are buried beneath the rubble of their homes.
This is not merely a political crisis; it is a moral one. Our silence and indifference make us complicit in the suffering caused by airstrikes, bombings, and blockades. The world has repeatedly chosen convenience over conscience, supporting Israel’s actions under the guise of security—yet this “security” comes at the cost of tens of thousands of innocent lives. How many more children must die? How many more hospitals need to be reduced to dust before we acknowledge our collective responsibility?
We are not powerless. We have the ability to demand accountability, pressuring our governments to cut military aid, impose economic sanctions, and withdraw diplomatic support. This is not merely about punishing Israel; it is about standing for humanity. The voices of the oppressed must no longer be drowned out by missiles and political posturing.
Each of us can contribute to raising awareness and holding those in power accountable. Speaking out, supporting humanitarian efforts, and staying informed are practical steps we can take. Passive observation only perpetuates the cycle of violence, further entrenching conditions for future conflict. While it may seem daunting to influence global politics, collective pressure through informed conversations and advocacy can create real change.
We owe it to the people of Palestine and Lebanon. We owe it to ourselves.
"History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce." – Karl Marx
A year has passed since Israel launched its apocalyptic military campaign against Gaza, which is part of over 75 years of systematic persecution, displacement, and violence inflicted on Palestinians. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, from October 7, 2023, to October 3, 2024, more than 41,788 people have died, including nearly 16,500 children, and 96,794 have sustained injuries, while more than 10,000 remain missing.
Today, the same horrors are unfolding right in front of our eyes, but Israel’s gaze has now also turned toward Lebanon. The Israeli government's focus on targeting Hezbollah has resulted in relentless bombardments of residential areas in Lebanon, leading to widespread casualties among journalists, UN workers, medical responders, and civilians, including women and children. The world watches in horror as this violent cycle repeats itself, with little regard for international humanitarian law. Despite ongoing devastation, Israel acts with impunity, raising a crucial question: Why does the cycle of violence persist, and why has the international community failed to break the treacherous pattern of destruction?
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has carried out military operations against Hamas in Gaza under the pretext of targeting militant strongholds in densely populated civilian areas. This has led to indiscriminate bombings, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict and serving as collateral damage. The same justification has now been extended to Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 27, 2024, in which he staunchly defended Israel's airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Netanyahu justified these bombings by asserting that Hezbollah does not only limit its military actions to designated military sites; instead, they launch rockets and missiles from within civilian infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, and private homes.
This rhetoric set the stage for Israel’s intensified military actions, with Netanyahu framing these attacks as necessary for self-defense and to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities. The Israeli airstrikes ultimately succeeded in their goal of killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which Netanyahu hailed as a decisive victory to the militant group.
However, the consequences of these actions were far-reaching. While Israel celebrated the elimination of Nasrallah, the bombings of densely populated residential areas led to catastrophic civilian casualties. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed and 9,384 injured since Israel launched an attack in Lebanon. In addition to the rising death toll, the government has reported that more than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli attacks. People are currently seeking refuge in designated shelters, resorting to makeshift camps on the streets. Many have sought refuge in overcrowded schools, which have been converted into temporary shelters but often lack essential resources such as clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.
The tragedy in Lebanon echoes similar military strategies employed by Israel in the Gaza Strip. This is not the first time Israel has used this narrative to justify its actions. In the 2006 Lebanon war, Israel defended its extensive airstrikes by asserting that Hezbollah had integrated military operations into civilian areas. A similar script has played out in Palestine, particularly during the 2008 Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead), the 2014 Gaza War (Operation Protective Edge), and the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis. In each of these instances, Israel launched large-scale military offensives, justifying the bombings of densely populated areas—including homes, schools, mosques, and hospitals—by maintaining that Hamas had embedded its military infrastructure, such as tunnels and command centers, within those areas.
Dehumanization of Palestinians and Lebanese
However, these military justifications—repeatedly cited by Israel—have not only served to defend their actions but have also contributed to a broader narrative that dehumanizes both Palestinians and Lebanese civilians. This pattern, seen time and time again, reduces their suffering to mere military operations rather than the human tragedy it truly is.
Whether in Gaza or Lebanon, the same dehumanizing lens is applied. Entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble and civilian casualties are dismissed as collateral damage, it reflects a dangerous pattern: the lives of Palestinians and Lebanese are deemed expendable. As the number of casualties rises, they are often reduced to faceless statistics, but we must remember—these are people with names, families, jobs, ambitions and dreams just like the rest of us.
Moreover, Israeli officials have frequently employed language that strips Palestinians of their humanity, portraying them as subhuman or savage. This sentiment was starkly displayed in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), where he described the conflict as “a struggle between the children of light and darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant similarly referred to Palestinians as “human animals,” justifying the ongoing military aggression against them
This rhetoric and military strategy have not only been applied to Palestinians but have also extended to Lebanon. Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch once declared, “There is no difference between Hezbollah and Lebanon. Lebanon will be annihilated. It will cease to exist.” Netanyahu’s own remarks at the UN General Assembly underscored this troubling viewpoint when he claimed that “there's a missile in every kitchen and a rocket in every garage,” framing civilian homes in Lebanon as legitimate military targets. This rhetoric implies that the presence of Hezbollah weaponry within civilian areas effectively erases the status of Lebanese civilians as non-combatants.
In the eyes of Israel, the distinctions between civilians and combatants have become dangerously blurred, leading to a pervasive dehumanization of both Palestinians and Lebanese. The narrative that “to be Palestinian is to be Hamas, and to be Lebanese is to be Hezbollah,” a concept perpetuated by leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, effectively strips Palestinians and Lebanese of their humanity and justifies violence against them. Netanyahu skillfully exploits these perceptions to sway public sentiment, underscoring the tragic psychological ramifications of a warfare mentality that seeks to dehumanize the “other.” This strategy not only reinforces a narrative of justice and survival but also attempts to justify Israel’s right to defend itself—even as it continues to bomb other nations, including Syria and Yemen, alongside its operations in Palestine and Lebanon.
This dehumanization not only strips individuals of their identity but also paves the way for horrific consequences. As a result, the devastating reality of civilian bombings unfolds, with homes, schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, and refugee camps being deliberately targeted. The absence of proper evacuation notices or precautions has led to countless civilian casualties, transforming spaces that should serve as sanctuaries into sites of death and destruction.
According to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the Geneva Conventions, parties involved in a conflict are obligated to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians. This includes providing advance warning before an attack when it may affect civilian areas, provided such warnings do not jeopardize the mission.
In both Palestine and Lebanon, however, Israel’s adherence to these principles has been inconsistent. In the recent airstrikes in Lebanon, there have been no confirmed reports of leaflets or warnings being distributed to civilians before the bombings. Moreover, the U.S. Defense Secretary noted that Israel did not notify the U.S. about the strikes until they were already underway (Harvey, Tanno, Sangal, John, & Powell, 2024).
This disregard for civilian safety is even more pronounced in Gaza, where residents are subjected to relentless bombardment with no safe escape routes. Palestinians are effectively trapped within the Gaza Strip, caught between two blockades controlled by Israel and Egypt. This situation exacerbates the dire humanitarian crisis, severely limiting both the movement of people and the influx of essential humanitarian aid.
Systematic Blockades and Attacks on Humanitarian Aid Workers and Medical Responders
“The only thing that should enter Gaza as long as Hamas doesn’t release the hostages it holds is not a gram of humanitarian aid, but hundreds of tons of explosives from the Air Force.” – Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security of Israel
The ongoing conflict has extended beyond mere military operations, with the lives of civilians in both Gaza and Lebanon caught in the crossfire. More troubling is the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, which has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in these regions.
In Gaza, the situation has reached a critical juncture. Despite the desperate need for assistance, there have been numerous instances where Israel has deliberately blocked humanitarian aid. For example, on April 1, 2024, Israeli drones targeted a three-car convoy belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip, tragically killing seven aid workers who were helping and delivering food in the northern Gaza Strip (Goodwin & Mezzofiore, 2024). Moreover, Israel has imposed strict restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, leading to severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. These actions have paralyzed the operations of humanitarian workers, leaving vulnerable populations without the critical support they need.
“This pattern of attacks is either intentional or indicative of reckless incompetence,” said Christopher Lockyear, Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) Secretary-General.
Further complicating this humanitarian crisis, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has faced mounting accusations of systematically dismantling Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Despite aid groups providing GPS coordinates to Israeli authorities to prevent attacks, medical facilities continue to be hit. As of September 25, 2024, data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that 19 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are out of service, while 43% of primary health care centers are only partially functional. This has left Gaza’s medical system on the brink of collapse.
These attacks, coupled with detentions and the denial of essential medical equipment, have critically undermined Gaza’s ability to deliver healthcare services. For instance, two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) doctors, Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila and Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar, along with Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari from the Ministry of Health, tragically lost their lives in an airstrike on Al-Awda Hospital, one of the few remaining operational hospitals in Northern Gaza under extreme conditions (MSF, 2024). The devastation extends further with the killing of prominent Palestinian surgeon Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a professor of orthopedic medicine, who reportedly died due to torture while in Israeli detention, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.
However, this crisis extends beyond Gaza; it resonates throughout Lebanon, where conditions have similarly worsened. On September 28, Israeli airstrikes targeted health facilities in the southern Lebanese villages of Taybeh and Deir Seryan, resulting in the deaths of 11 medical personnel (Lebanese National News Agency, 2024). In the days leading up to this incident, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported the loss of 14 paramedics. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 28 medical workers have been killed in attacks by Israel in Lebanon since Thursday, October 3.
The toll on humanitarian efforts in the region is staggering, with over 224 aid workers killed, including 179 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Tragically, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) family has also mourned the loss of two colleagues and one of their sons. Furthermore, targeted attacks on ambulance convoys underscore the escalating violence against medical responders and humanitarian workers in this war-torn area.
The systematic targeting of medical facilities and personnel raises serious concerns about Israel’s numerous violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of humanitarian aid workers and medical responders from intentional attacks during conflicts. This principle has been blatantly ignored in Israel’s military operations in both Palestine and Lebanon, severely undermining efforts to provide essential care to vulnerable populations.
As we consider these actions, we must grapple with the unsettling questions of “Who is the enemy?" and the implications of strategic justice versus intentional killing. Is the targeting of healthcare providers a calculated measure in a larger strategy, or is it a blatant disregard for human life? Such dilemmas challenge the very notion of justice in warfare and force us to confront the ethical implications of actions taken under the guise of national security.
Targeting of Journalists and Media Workers
Equally alarming is the escalating violence against journalists and media workers, who risk their lives to report on these crises. The ongoing conflict not only imperils healthcare providers but also poses significant dangers to those documenting these events. As of October 4, 2024, the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that at least 176 journalists and media workers had been killed since the war began.
Since October 7, 2024, journalists and media workers have not only faced escalating physical danger, but they have also experienced a surge in assaults, cyberattacks, censorship and even the targeted killings of their family members. Palestinian journalists have been disproportionately affected. Among the most devastating cases is that of Wael Al Dahdouh, Al-Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, who suffered the tragic loss of his wife, son, daughter, and grandson in an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp. His grief deepened further on January 7, when his son, Hamza Al Dahdouh, a journalist and cameraman for Al-Jazeera, was killed alongside a colleague. The two were returning to Rafah after documenting an airstrike when their vehicle was hit by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). More recently, on September 30, 2024, another tragedy unfolded as Palestinian journalist Wafa Aludaini and her family were killed in an Israeli airstrike that directly targeted her home in the central Gaza Strip.
These tragedies reflect a broader strategy to suppress the truth on the ground. In one case, Israeli soldiers ordered journalists to stop filming, with one soldier explicitly saying, “Don’t film me.” The journalists complied, but their equipment, including cameras and IDs, was confiscated. Other reporters, clearly identifiable as press, faced similar harassment, such as when an IDF drone hovered above visibly marked journalists, yet they were still searched, and their memory cards were confiscated at gunpoint. Further illustrating the risks to journalists, on July 24, 2024, four Palestinian reporters, all wearing “Press” vests, were harassed by Israeli soldiers while covering the burning of a military vehicle near Bethlehem, with their equipment seized.
In addition to physical violence, Israel has arrested 54 Palestinian journalists, using administrative detention to keep them imprisoned without formal charges, silencing critical voices from the region. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) records show that 35 of these journalists remain under arrest as of October 1, 2024, although the real number may be higher due to challenges in verifying information. Many families and lawyers are unable to determine why these journalists have been detained, further undermining due process.
This tragedy is not confined to Gaza, but also affecting Lebanon, where at least two journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since September 23, marking the deadliest day for civilians in the country since 2006. Among these victims was journalist Hadi Sayyed, a reporter for Al-Mayadin TV, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his home in southern Lebanon. To further add, Al Jazeera reporters in southern Lebanon and the Dahiyeh have their blood types sewn onto the front of their press jackets, a precautionary measure so that they are injured and require urgent medical attention, emergency responders can immediately see their blood type and administer a transfusion if necessary.
The ongoing violence against journalists and media workers in this conflict highlights grave violations of international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the protection of journalists and media workers during armed conflict. Israel’s systematic targeting of these individuals not only undermines press freedom but also contradicts the Geneva Conventions, which provide specific protections for journalists reporting in crises. These actions foster a climate of fear and erode trust in Israel’s commitment to uphold international legal standards, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and enhanced protections for journalists operating in war zones.
Repeated Justifications and Global Consequences
The pattern of justifying genocide and mass civilian casualties under the guise of self-defense has long-standing global ramifications. Israel’s rationale for its bombings—whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or beyond—revolves around targeting militant groups embedded within civilian infrastructures. This justification, echoed through decades of conflict, has been accepted by many nations as a necessary evil in the name of self-preservation. However, the global consequences of this acceptance are profound.
By continually framing its actions as defensive, Israel has managed to normalize a disproportionate response that not only violates international humanitarian law but also sets a dangerous precedent for other nations. The narrative of “collateral damage” as an inevitable outcome in modern warfare desensitizes the international community to the atrocities of war, allowing other nations to follow suit, hiding behind similar justifications. Countries with their own internal conflicts or geopolitical ambitions may adopt this same rhetoric, turning civilian areas into battlegrounds with little accountability.
Moreover, the dehumanization of entire populations under the justification of rooting out “terrorists” fuels global tensions, exacerbating religious and ethnic divides. These military campaigns further destabilize the Middle East, spreading the impacts of displacement, trauma, and radicalization far beyond its borders. The humanitarian crises that result from such conflicts reverberate globally, influencing migration patterns, economic destabilization, and increased extremist recruitment. As long as these justifications are allowed to stand, the global community will be trapped in a cycle of violence and instability that knows no borders.
Breaking the Cycle
The cycle of violence in Palestine and Lebanon is not just a regional tragedy; it is a scar on the conscience of the entire world. The deafening silence of powerful nations, coupled with their active support for Israel’s military operations, has allowed this devastation to persist unchecked. We cannot afford to remain spectators while entire communities are reduced to ashes and children are buried beneath the rubble of their homes.
This is not merely a political crisis; it is a moral one. Our silence and indifference make us complicit in the suffering caused by airstrikes, bombings, and blockades. The world has repeatedly chosen convenience over conscience, supporting Israel’s actions under the guise of security—yet this “security” comes at the cost of tens of thousands of innocent lives. How many more children must die? How many more hospitals need to be reduced to dust before we acknowledge our collective responsibility?
We are not powerless. We have the ability to demand accountability, pressuring our governments to cut military aid, impose economic sanctions, and withdraw diplomatic support. This is not merely about punishing Israel; it is about standing for humanity. The voices of the oppressed must no longer be drowned out by missiles and political posturing.
Each of us can contribute to raising awareness and holding those in power accountable. Speaking out, supporting humanitarian efforts, and staying informed are practical steps we can take. Passive observation only perpetuates the cycle of violence, further entrenching conditions for future conflict. While it may seem daunting to influence global politics, collective pressure through informed conversations and advocacy can create real change.
We owe it to the people of Palestine and Lebanon. We owe it to ourselves.
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