As Americans, war is a constant point of interest in our history curriculums. We are known for our patriotism and respect for our armed forces, vowing to ‘never forget’ the tragedies we’ve endured. Many of us, however, have never experienced the forefront of wartime, and fail to comprehend the gore and tragedy that go hand in hand.
Across the Atlantic, the Israeli armed forces are at war with Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization based within the Gaza Strip in Israel. A Washington Post article explains the nature of the conflict.
According to BBC journalist Leo Sands, “The roots of the latest fighting predate the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 and the founding of Hamas in 1987. Palestinians and Israelis alike consider the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as their own – leading to periodic bouts of violence, armed conflict and displacement.”
As the holy land to many branches of Catholicism, Jerusalem is a highly sought-after territory. The land isn’t the only reason for the violence, however.
“Hamas is a terrorist group that has proven it will commit horrible atrocities in order to kill Israelis and Americans,” U.S. Senator and minority member of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee Pete Ricketts said. “The best way to bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians alike is for terrorist groups like Hamas to be destroyed.”
Hamas became an elected government body over the Gaza Strip in 2006 but has since seized full control, refusing to step down from authority. It was not long until the terrorist group set their sights on the entire state of Israel, which they refuse to acknowledge as a separate territory. Hamas, however detached from the citizens of Gaza, has put millions of Palestinians into the crosshair for Israel’s military retaliation. Having the superior power, Israel held nothing back in their attempt to annihilate Hamas.
Tensions have been brewing for decades, and Hamas’ recent cross-border assault on Israel tipped either nations’ anger over the edge. While militaries fight on their doorsteps, innocent Palestinian citizens are slaughtered every day by Israeli defense, despite being detached from Hamas due to the nature of their authority.
In a PBS interview with National Security Council coordinator John Kirby, Kirby outlines the increasing interest and need to provide humanitarian assistance to hostages and refugees on either side of the war.
“We have got Ambassador Satterfield, our special envoy for humanitarian affairs, on the ground, working with regional partners, working with aid organizations to get that aid accelerated and to get it increased. I think we have had 84 trucks total go in since the conflict started. That’s a trickle. That’s not enough.”
Every little thing helps, and even if you aren’t in a position to donate directly, spreading the truth saves lives. If you are able to donate, there are a number of organizations and charities backed by outside research that directly fund displaced families and refugees of the war.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency supplies protection and medical aid for registered Palestinian refugees. The Palestine Red Crescent Society is a sister organization to the International Red Cross Society and provides on-site humanitarian aid under the Geneva Convention.
No matter how insignificant you believe your voice to be, it could mean life or death for someone across the ocean. Do all you can, and remember, silence is compliance.
