Israel — Hamas War: The Lives that Matter and the Lives that Don’t

Entire generations have been lost to fulfill the interests of a select few, and the saddest part is that hardly anyone cares. In a matter of days, we will even forget the ongoing Russia-Ukraine or Israel-Hamas war. Countless lives are being lost every second, but here we are taking sides on who is right and who is wrong. What lens does every single individual need? Try to understand that people are dying. Kids are dying. Entire families are getting wiped out.

Billions in Funding to Fuel the War

Countries are ready to supply weapons worth billions, but they are not ready to take a step, come together, and stop the war. These so-called superpowers have never truly supported peace. How ironical it is to see a country supplying weapons to one side and humanitarian aid to the other. Can’t we just end it all?

I was appalled to see the amount of money being poured in endlessly to continue these wars. To understand the magnanimity of this stupidity, just consider the below excerpts for your reference:

1. Since the war began, the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have directed more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute. (This figure does not include all war-related U.S. spending, such as aid to allies.) (Source)
2. Biden asks US Congress for $105 billion in assistance for Israel and Ukraine; More than $9 billion would be set aside for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. (Source)
3. Ukraine-Israeli conflicts test US weapons production capacity; President Biden, in an impassioned prime-time address last week, vowed to send more weapons to both Ukraine and Israel, asking Congress to approve a $105 billion emergency package mostly for military aid. Ukraine would receive about $61 billion in lethal assistance, while Israel, a far better militarily equipped country, would receive about $14 billion for air and missile defenses. (Source)

Consider the amount being spent to fuel this war. Think for a while about the people and companies that are benefiting the most from this war. The answers are obvious, and you do not need to dig deep for them.

Each one of us possesses a powerful tool: our conscience. Instead of relying on the often partial narrative of global media, let us engage this inner compass to discern what is truly right and act accordingly.

Heart-Wrenching Stories of Loss and Hope

The story of a young child trapped beneath rubble, pleading for help with no means of escape, is equally heartbreaking. The lack of electricity and equipment to free him highlights the desperation and helplessness of the situation. Images of parents carrying their lifeless children to hospitals are a grim testament to the immense loss and unimaginable grief.

The staggering death toll, with over 17,000 lives lost, including more than 7,000 children, paints a picture of a humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. Families search for loved ones in the rubble, fuel shortages add to their despair, and the besieged city of Gaza becomes a “graveyard for children,” as the U.N. Secretary-General aptly stated.

This tragedy cannot be justified by political agendas or allegiances. Seventeen thousand lives lost represent more than just statistics; they represent the hopes and dreams of families shattered and the potential of children extinguished. We must remember that these are humans, not mere pawns in a political game.

Two million people are trapped in Gaza, their lives and futures hanging in the balance. They deserve more from the world than indifference and political maneuvering. We must stand together, united in our call for an end to the violence and a lasting resolution to this conflict. The collective efforts of the international community are crucial to end the war, save lives, and rebuild shattered communities.

Let us not look away from the suffering in Gaza. Let us see them as humans, deserving of compassion and empathy. Let us amplify their voices and demand for peace, for the sake of their children and generations to come. Only then can we hope to heal the wounds of this conflict and build a future where all lives are valued and protected.

Ask these Questions to Yourself

I have been following the ongoing conflict closely, and there are some questions that directly come to my mind.

What if Israel is the hiding place of Hamas?

Will Israel continue to bomb in the same manner as it does now?

How many of the 17000 people killed as of December 10, 2023, are terrorists?

What does the conflict have to do with children and women?

Why are we unable to dispatch special forces to handle this situation? (While in hiding in Pakistan, Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces. I do not dispute that the operation will be dangerous and that no lives will be lost, but that is why special forces are there. You strike where it hurts the most.)

And lastly, what is the real reason for the war?

I don’t have an answer for this one. If any, please enlighten me.

The Choice is Yours

God knows where this world is going. There is no humanity left. For many, killing is the ultimate problem solver. Hopefully, it won’t be too late when people learn that human lives are far more valuable than pursuing their personal interests. I wish there were global powers prepared to prevent the extinction of an entire generation.

However, we do not have a choice but to be optimistic. I can just express my anger in this article, but the truth is harsh and clear. The world leaders have to develop a conscience and act. I believe that humanity still has the potential for good and that compassion and understanding can prevail over violence. We need to work together to create a world where human life is valued.