Living in the UK means we have access to all the basics and additional amenities that one would expect in this day and age. Whilst we live comfortably in a developed country that is seen as both powerful and progressive, others in the world are suffering terribly. I refer to Palestine specifically. As I reflect on all the injustices taking place in Palestine I feel both helpless and frustrated. The war that erupted on 7th October 2023 is still constant with bombardment and it is day 45 today. The people of Palestine are living in a war zone and the violation of international laws isn't even mentioned by the West. Seeing a country being destroyed around you must be something that will have you experiencing recurring trauma not only for the ones that have experienced the torture first-hand but for following generations to come.
I ask myself how has it become so bad?
How did It not have such an impact on the world before?
The answer I believe is Israel and Palestine would have a few days of confrontation and then things would quieten down so, I for one would get on with life thinking things have settled now.
However, the reality is totally the opposite, things have never been normal since the Nakba in 1948. When the first war broke out 75 years ago, the Zionists forced more than 700,000 Palestinians or 85% of the total population to flee their homes and become refugees. The status of being a resident with a house and stability to become a refugee with nothing, within minutes. They fled to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and neighbouring countries of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The number of deaths in the war since 7 th October is now at least 13,400. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry stated. The number of children that have been killed is at least 5,500, sadly with an additional 1,800 missing under the rubble.
So 7,300 young killed in total meaning the killing of 162 children every day. The country that was once so beautiful is now becoming a graveyard. These children would have been the new generation of Gaza. The ending of young lives before they have even properly begun is heart-wrenching. A deliberate act to end any power that would have been in the form of the young people of Gaza is infuriating. The infrastructure of Palestine has already been violently demolished and now attacking the Hospitals where premature babies lie in critical conditions is maybe the most gruesome of all torturous actions. Several premature babies lie in an incubator due to the lack of incubators in Al-Shifa Hospital. Lack of fuel, equipment and supplies is resulting in the death of premature babies rising. As a last attempt to save these innocent babies, 28 babies were moved on Monday from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza to hospitals in Egypt. The WHO referred to Al–Shifa Hospital as a death zone.
Doctors at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza say that the children are suffering from trauma and distress from seeing their family members killed. Coming from a psychology background even after having 28 years in the field and thinking I have heard of every trauma there is. I have to put my hands up and confess I cannot for one second understand how those pure souls are feeling, and like a lot of us who are on the edge of our chairs and want to take some action to help, besides praying, protesting and writing letters. We are ready to go but have to wait, wait for that word we want to hear from our leaders. It makes my blood boil to wait but wait is all I can do for now.
How can human beings who are supposed to be the most developed of all creatures be so cruel and heartless in their actions? There is no justification for the Western countries supporting Israel to carry out its horrendous crimes. Why? All because of land occupation. The lens is now on our leaders who for weeks have been reiterating “Israel has a right to defend itself” but Israel is not the victim here. Turning a blind eye to all the genocide, ethnic cleansing and agony that the Palestinians have suffered is brutal.
After weeks of boycotting products in connection with Israel, protesting as the general public had, had enough and came out on the streets in organised peaceful protests to shout “Free, free Palestine”. Now letters to MPs the leaders are to vote tomorrow on whether there should be a cease-fire or not this shouldn’t even be a question. The damage done to Palestine will take decades to rebuild but the killings of the people will never be overcome. When 40% of the population are innocent children being killed there will be no new generation, as they were buried before they even flourished in this world.
The world that is grieving for Palestine wants to hear one word “CEASEFIRE”
Ghazala Saleem
