Non-stop massacres

Published July 16, 2024

THE massacre of innocents continues in the killing fields of Gaza, as most of the world looks away. Moreover, many of Israel’s foreign enablers are shedding crocodile tears over the Palestinians’ suffering, yet dutifully continue to arm and support the Zionist state as it conducts one of the bloodiest campaigns of extermination against a civilian population in the modern era. The latest outrage came on Saturday, when Israel attacked the Mawasi refugee camp in Khan Younis. Tel Aviv dispatched fighter jets and drones against defenceless people living in tents. At least 90 people were slaughtered, and some 300 injured in what was supposed to be a ‘safe zone’ protected under international law. But as the world has witnessed over the past nine months, no place in Gaza is safe from Israel’s murderous forays. Tel Aviv claimed two senior Hamas commanders were killed in the attack; the Palestinian group has denied this. The Mawasi massacre was followed a day later with an attack on a school doubling as a refugee camp in Nuseirat. At least 17 people perished in that atrocity.

For the Palestinian people, this has turned into a battle of survival. Most of the West stands loyally by Israel as it murders innocents, while, true to form, the Muslim world remains conspicuous by its absence. Veteran Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi succinctly summed up the dismal state of affairs when she said that “American bombs ... rain down on Gaza” while “Israeli government and thugs” prevent food, medicine and fuel from reaching this forsaken territory. Ceasefire talks are going nowhere as Benjamin Netanyahu is cunningly pretending to talk peace, while mercilessly pounding Gaza. What is clear is that a return to the pre-Oct 7 status quo is impossible. When the dust clears, either the Palestinians will secure freedom and dignity, or Israel will succeed in its mission of ethnically cleansing this ancient people from their homeland.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...