By Alfaritsy The globe stands silent as Gaza erupts once more. Missiles plummet onto crowded regions, turning whole communities into debris. Kids trapped beneath collapsed buildings, medical facilities swamped with casualties, and complete clans obliterated in an instant explosion. This conflict transcends mere warfare; it represents a deliberate annihilation of a populace. It’s genocide happening before our eyes, but those capable of intervening opt for indifference instead.
The current crisis didn’t emerge suddenly; it stems from more than a century of forced displacement, occupation, and suppression. The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917 when Britain promised to create a Jewish state in Palestine without involving its native Arab inhabitants. In 1948, following Israel’s declaration of independence, approximately 750,000 Palestinians were forcefully driven out of their homes during an event referred to as the Nakba (catastrophe). Ever since, all efforts toward peace have been clouded by further territorial grabs, additional military occupations, and escalating violence.
Starting with the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel gained control over Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, history has repeatedly shown a pattern of domination and defiance. Palestinians have resisted through various means, including nonviolent demonstrations and violent revolts like those during the Intifadas. Yet, how do you combat an adversary that holds sway over all domains—air, land, and sea? Since 2007, Gaza has faced stringent blockades, leading to severe shortages of essentials such as food, medical supplies, and power. This has turned the area into what some describe as the globe’s biggest open-air detention center, where inhabitants endure hardships while global powers engage in diplomatic discussions rather than decisive action.
Now let’s talk about ballistic missiles—the extent of devastation they can cause. Why do we continue to develop such destructive tools meant primarily for widespread combat against innocent civilians? In the past, global leaders recognized the perils associated with unrestrained military capabilities, resulting in pacts like SALT and START, designed to curb the spread of armaments. However, those accords hold little weight nowadays as sophisticated weapons circulate freely, transforming skirmishes into mass slaughters. Part of what kept World War I and II confined to just two occurrences was an understanding that absent regulation over arms, humankind risked total annihilation. It appears we’ve lost sight of that crucial insight.
It’s astounding how hypocritical this situation is. World leaders who champion human rights simultaneously support the financing of arms that perpetuate these crimes. Every year, the U.S. supplies billions in military assistance to Israel, guaranteeing relentless bombardments. Media outlets twist reality, depicting Israel as protecting itself, whilePalestinian casualties are trivialized into numbers. Platforms initially meant for transparency have become arenas where Palestinian narratives are suppressed; their posts get shadowbanned or removed entirely.
Sun Tzu famously stated, “War is a means to an end.” Yet, which ultimate aim can justify such devastation? What reason could possibly warrant the killing of unarmed civilians? After previous horrors, humanity pledged “never again,” but now we witness another group being annihilated as global leaders bicker over semantics. How many lives must be lost before action is taken? How high must these stacks of corpses grow before peace becomes more than mere rhetoric and instead transforms into truth?
Global leaders need to awaken. Instead of issuing hollow declarations, they should enforce genuine repercussions for those who breach human rights and armament agreements. The embargo on Gaza needs to cease immediately. Israel ought to face responsibility for its alleged war crimes. Selling weapons to tyrannical governments has to stop. The Palestinians’ entitlement to self-governance must be acknowledged. It’s imperative that we break our silence now. This situation transcends injustice—it constitutes an atrocity against humanity itself.
The conflict in Palestine goes beyond territorial disputes; it is also about achieving fairness, respect, and the basic human rights to self-determination. Until global action takes place, the annals of history will keep being stained with the blood of those who are blameless.
• Leadership coach, historian, and public speaker Agbaje-Atoyebi pens this piece from Lagos.
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