ATLANTA, Georgia, Sep 17 (IPS) – Today’s weapons are capable of wiping out entire masses of humanity, destroying bits and pieces of culture with them. The coverage of the one-sided Gaza campaign makes it clear that this is exactly what is happening. Destroying the past also destroys the future. The world must come together to make sure these atrocities end.
Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza have now reached a new low, despite continued international protests and UNESCO complaints about cultural destruction. After spending almost a year, Israeli warplanes continue to bomb hospitals, schools and refugees in rickety tent camps, killing increasing numbers of people who had nothing to do with starting the war.
Four months ago on May 15, Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, reported to Prime Minister Netanyahu that “HAMAS no longer functions as a military organization.” Lately it has become clear to everyone that there are no more military objectives left in Gaza.
It can only be said that the incessant bombing of the past four months, killing dozens of innocent people every week, was intended to punish Gaza for deliberately killing civilians. Despite the fact that those who were bombed are terrorists, there is no evidence to support that. It is anger. War crimes are piling up.
Last week, on September 10 2024, after a year of incredibly destructive bombings, Israeli planes hit the fragile tents of al-Mawasi Camp, which was once declared a safe zone by the IDF itself, killing dozens of people and leaving three 3-meter craters. 30. deep.
A day later, a UN school in Jabalia Camp used as a shelter was bombed for the umpteenth time, killing at least 18, including 6 UN/UNRWA staff, and up to 60 locals. After so many months and so many innocent people were killed, what could have caused this continued violence?
Deliberately targeting civilians anywhere is illegal under international law, and especially in declared safe areas within United Nations shelters and tent camps. Such extremism is incomprehensible to most civilized countries, but also to the nearly one million Israelis who are constantly protesting their government’s refusal to accept a ceasefire.
They have been in the streets for months urging the Likud-led Military Cabinet to end the war and free the dwindling number of Israeli hostages. Weak warnings from the US White House had no effect.
It is hard to see how any of this benefits Israel. Their actions have raised a worldwide stigma with the Jerusalem government insisting that the war continue. They only succeeded in empowering the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement.
How can continued bombing serve any meaningful purpose other than inflaming Israel’s enemies with more hatred and revenge killings that extend far into the future? The military doctrine of “superpower” can only mean killing large numbers of non-combatant women and children. This one-sided attack will soon reach the one-year mark.
The only possible reason for continuing Israel’s eleven-month killing spree in Gaza—since Netanyahu recently blocked a cease-fire with HAMAS that might have freed the hostages—is to destroy the Palestinian future and the past, a key goal for the Jerusalem government.
Targeting Palestinian youth by bombing schools destroys their future prospects and the memory of the Palestinian people’s collective history. The youth will not be able to find jobs or get back their rightful inheritance.
This unilateral act of brutality in Gaza continues despite President Joe Biden and Democratic Candidate Kamala Harris’s support for two states. That construction is now an impossible dream—far from it. Many analysts believe it can be reversed now, after hundreds of thousands of residents have moved to the West Bank.
Humanity—meaning all of us—continues to struggle today between a state of fear and lust for power. Bloody Gaza is at the center of a growing vortex in today’s sea of problems.
James E. JenningsPhD is the President of Conscience International www.conscienceinternational.org and the Executive Director of US Academics for Peace. Jennings has delivered aid to Gaza hospitals since 1987, including the first. intifadaal-Aqsa intifadaand Israel’s “Cast Lead” bombings in 2009 and 2014.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
