The brutal attack of Hamas on Israel and its aftermath is disturbing to say the least. Hamas rained down thousands of missiles from the Gaza Strip onto the bordering areas in Israel on October 7, 2023 reportedly killing at least 1400 people, inviting condemnation from across the world. While the deadly attack carried out on the Sabbath Day deserves condemnation, what followed thereafter does not make Israel any better than Hamas. The continued air strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip are said to have killed thousands of people, including children. The attack on a hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of people a few days ago, though both the warring parties are blaming each other, has triggered outrage from across the globe. Countries may take sides but it is very clear that indiscriminate killing of civilians, be it during the attacks by Hamas or the vengeful onslaught of Israel thereafter, did not go down well with the international community. So, if Israel goes ahead with its purported ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, casualty might increase and the residents of the strip, who are already facing a harrowing time since the offensive began, will be pushed to the edge. Such a move will invite trouble for Israel as well, in terms of dwindling global support and security concerns that may continue long after the war is over.
The need of the hour is to immediately cease attacks and killings by both the warring parties to pave the way for talks, the only means to restore peace. To begin with, the government of Israel should suspend military offensive and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza as thousands of displaced civilians have been suffering for more than two weeks. The leaders of various countries should use their influence to restore peace instead of adding fuel to the fire with inflammatory rhetoric and blindly taking sides or supplying arms. Powerful countries like the United States, China, the UK, etc. should be more responsible in times of war, as any action that escalates a conflict will prove costly for everyone. There is not a country that is immune to the negative impact of wars, in the past or present, including the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict, and it affects underdeveloped countries more due to disruption in transportation of essential commodities. War also deepens security concerns instead of resolving disagreement. The relationship between the Middle East countries before and after the Israel-Hamas conflict is a case in point. So, for long-term peaceful co-existence, the warring parties should cease violence and opt for dialogue. For vengeance begets vengeance. And they say two wrongs don’t make a right.
