Gaza City, Gaza Strip — As conflict in Gaza continues for over 21 months, concerns rise regarding the erosion of international law and the implications of military actions taken by Israel. Voices around the globe are increasingly critical, questioning whether established norms guiding warfare and human rights are being completely disregarded.
This week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to relocate Palestinians into a designated area amidst the devastation of Rafah, effectively creating a containment zone where individuals would have no means of exit. Human rights advocates have condemned the proposal, with Israeli lawyer Michael Sfard claiming it constitutes an operational strategy for a crime against humanity. Casualties continue to mount as individuals struggle to secure basic necessities like food.
The plight of Palestinians in Gaza has been profound, raising pressing questions about the perceptions of humanity among Israelis. Many are perplexed as to how widespread indifference can coexist with the reality of suffering inflicted in their name. The roots of this dehumanization stretch back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, which led to the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” during which countless Palestinians lost their homes. Israelis often rationalize their actions on the basis of land being divinely ordained for their people, allowing them to overlook the plight of those dispossessed.
As violations of international law persist, there is an overwhelming sense of despair concerning the ability of global institutions to halt the ongoing atrocities and hold those responsible accountable. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials linked to allegations of war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare. Yet, no ramifications have been enforced, and Western support for Israel remains strong, leaving many Palestinians questioning their own powerlessness.
Efforts by Palestinians to seek justice through legal channels have repeatedly fallen short, largely due to the lack of enforcement mechanisms within international law. Historical failures, beginning with the unfulfilled 1948 UN resolution that recognized the right of return for Palestinian refugees, have sown seeds of disillusionment. Despite these setbacks, there is a persistent hope grounded in the resilience of the Palestinian people.
The expectation that Palestinians would abandon their connection to the land has proven mistaken. Decades later, the attachment remains steadfast, as demonstrated by their commitment to a culturally significant notion known as sumoud—steadfastness in the face of adversity. This spirit unites Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank, manifesting a shared determination to remain.
The eventual end of hostilities may reveal harrowing personal accounts from those affected, uncovering the deep scars left on families, artists, and communities. Such narratives could serve as a haunting reminder for Israelis of the emotional toll that this conflict has inflicted.
One stark example of ongoing tensions is evident in the Old City of Hebron, which has been transformed into a heavily militarized zone to accommodate a small number of Jewish settlers. With a population of around 232,500 Palestinians, the city is now largely inaccessible to its original inhabitants, leading many to question the sustainability of such a situation.
As for Gaza’s future, pressing challenges remain. The destruction of essential infrastructure—farmland, water sources, and medical facilities—raises urgent questions about the viability of life in the region moving forward. However, the global community, which has failed to enforce international law thus far, could play a pivotal role in facilitating access to aid and rebuilding efforts.
Despite the persistent violence and destructiveness, Gaza boasts a 4,000-year history of continuous habitation. Attempts to extinguish life in the region are likely to falter, as Palestinians are determined to survive, whether through external assistance or their own resilience.
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