Solving the Gaza Conflict: A Middle Eastern Perspective

Like everyone else, I have witnessed the footage recorded on October 7th, where families were fatally shot, their homes were set on fire, resulting in the loss of 1500 lives, the kidnapping of over 200 hostages, and the commission of atrocities that ignited global outrage, all with the aim of securing the release of the hostages and eliminating Hamas. The footage was captured by Hamas, an organization that operates from a complex network of tunnels beneath Gaza.

?As an individual who values critical thinking over blind acceptance, I found the response to those events quite perplexing: Instead of targeting Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched retaliatory actions against Palestinians who had no connection to the initial attack. These actions included the destruction of their homes, displacing more than 1.1 million civilians, damaging hospitals, bakeries, cafes, and so on. This resulted in a toll of 7000 civilian casualties, including 1500 children. To illustrate, imagine your neighbor attacking your home, setting part of it on fire and endangering your children. Instead of reporting this to the police and seeking justice, you decide to attack another neighbor, causing harm to their family and property, all while leaving the original criminal untouched. Moreover, the entire world has witnessed these atrocities and supported Israel's right to defend itself. While I concur with the latter statement, it is essential to consider the means employed to achieve this objective. I believe that the media relies on the principle that the repetition of even a flawed message can lead people to accept it, effectively acting as a propaganda machine that influences individuals who should have the capacity to think critically.

To piece together this complex situation, we must ask an important question: What did Hamas anticipate as Israel's response when planning and executing its offensive, which included a cyberattack, military preparations, and well-organized actions?

• One possible answer is that they expected to secure a victory, invade Israel, and declare a Palestinian State without encountering any resistance from the IDF or the international community. However, I find this scenario difficult to believe.
• The second answer is that they expected the current situation, with the IDF targeting their own people while they remain secure underground and then escaping before they can be apprehended. This seems to be a more realistic explanation. In that case, one may question why the international community is providing support, even to the extent of denying food, water, medical treatment, and fuel to innocent individuals who are not involved in the conflict.
• A more disturbing answer is that they wanted this conflict to escalate into a regional war that eventually evolves into a world war. It is worth recalling that World War I, which claimed 16 million lives, was triggered by the assassination of a single individual, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, in 1914. Now, we are witnessing 8500 casualties on both sides, with two major powers directly involved, both possessing nuclear capabilities, not to mention their supporters. I understand that some conspiracy theorists may endorse that scenario, which I personally find unrealistic.

In my view, the solution does not begin with a magical formula but with a set of principles and values that we must genuinely embrace:?

1. If we must choose between justice and peace, the latter should take precedence. This means that unjust solutions that lead to peace may be the best course of action.
2. Parties involved in the conflict must actively participate in the resolution, disavowing the consequences of their actions should not be an option.
3. A gradual process of reconciliation, initiated by a respected international organization such as the United Nations or other world leaders, is essential.

Embracing these principles may open the door to various ideas:

1. Both sides have suffered losses, and their grieving families need healing through a reconciliation process. Revisiting the past atrocities on both sides to incite hatred is unhelpful. Implementing a ceasefire is imperative to prevent further casualties.
2. Diplomatic resolutions are attainable. It is essential to remember that if China, the USA, and Russia can unite on this matter, a global conflict can be averted.
3. Immediate action is required to address the needs of the displaced population. Given that Iran supported this offensive and the IDF carried out attacks on civilians, they bear responsibility for hosting the displaced civilians, providing them with food and shelter, and contributing to the reconstruction of the damage caused.

?I'll conclude by reminding myself of Gandhi's words that are mostly needed in nowadays "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind".

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