Israel’s recent military incursions into Gaza have once again thrown the Palestinian territories into chaos, further exacerbating a cycle of violence that has long gripped the region.
The international community, especially the United States and its Western allies, has once again come under fire for its unwavering support for Israel’s actions, which critics argue are disproportionate and in violation of international law.
With hundreds of Palestinian civilians dead, homes destroyed, and vital infrastructure reduced to rubble, it is imperative to critically examine the role of Israel, the West, and what steps can be taken toward a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has engaged in repeated conflicts with Palestinians over land, sovereignty, and self-determination. In 1967, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank following the Six-Day War, marking the beginning of what many Palestinians and international human rights organizations describe as a military occupation.
While Israel withdrew settlers from Gaza in 2005, it has maintained a severe blockade, controlling the territory’s borders, airspace, and sea access, effectively turning Gaza into what many refer to as an “open-air prison.”
The recent violence in Gaza is part of a broader pattern of Israeli incursions that target not just military installations or groups like Hamas, but also civilians, homes, schools, and hospitals.
These actions are not isolated military operations but part of a systematic campaign to weaken Palestinian resistance, as well as to stifle efforts toward statehood and independence.
In the latest round of fighting, Israeli airstrikes have been overwhelmingly devastating to civilian infrastructure in Gaza. As of October 2024, Palestinian health authorities have reported the deaths of over 1,000 civilians, many of whom are women and children.
In contrast, Israeli casualties remain significantly lower, with a majority of deaths attributed to military personnel. The disparity in casualties has drawn widespread condemnation, with many accusing Israel of employing disproportionate force and collective punishment, both of which are violations of international humanitarian law.
Human Rights Watch has documented numerous incidents where Israeli strikes have targeted densely populated civilian areas, causing unnecessary suffering.
One particularly shocking event occurred when an Israeli airstrike hit Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, killing dozens of civilians, including medical personnel. This attack on medical facilities, which are protected under the Geneva Conventions, constitutes a clear violation of international law.
Despite these atrocities, the United States and its Western allies continue to back Israel, providing military aid and diplomatic support that shields Israel from accountability in international forums like the United Nations.
Israel receives nearly $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military aid, a staggering figure that underscores the complicity of the U.S. in Israel’s continued occupation and aggression against Palestinians.
The US and the West are just cheering on the U.S., along with Western powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, has repeatedly justified Israel’s actions by framing them as acts of self-defence against Hamas.
However, this narrative ignores the broader context of occupation and systemic violence that Palestinians endure daily. It also overlooks the imbalance of power in the conflict.
Israel, one of the world’s most advanced military powers, faces a population in Gaza that is largely impoverished and lacks access to essential services like electricity and clean water due to the blockade.
Washington’s unyielding support for Israel is not just a matter of foreign policy but a reflection of domestic political interests. The influential pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., notably AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), plays a significant role in shaping American policy toward the Middle East.
Politicians from both major parties fear alienating this powerful lobby, which has consistently argued that any criticism of Israel’s policies equates to anti-Semitism.
This conflation of legitimate criticism with bigotry stifles meaningful debate and prevents the U.S. from adopting a more balanced and just approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
European nations, while occasionally more critical of Israel’s actions, have largely followed the U.S. lead. For example, despite expressing “concern” over civilian casualties, the European Union has done little to impose consequences on Israel for its repeated violations of international law.
European arms sales to Israel continue unabated, and diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories have been half-hearted at best.
Under international law, Israel’s continued settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as its blockade of Gaza, are considered illegal.
The United Nations has repeatedly passed resolutions condemning these actions, but Israel has largely ignored these, confident in the knowledge that the U.S. will veto any binding Security Council resolutions that threaten its interests.
Moreover, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened investigations into potential war crimes committed by both Israeli forces and Palestinian groups, but Israel has refused to cooperate, and the U.S. has publicly opposed the ICC’s jurisdiction over the matter. This further erodes the legitimacy of international institutions tasked with ensuring justice and accountability.
Critics of Israel’s actions argue that the path to peace cannot be achieved through military might but through justice and reconciliation. The Israeli government must be held accountable for its violations of international law, and the international community, led by the U.S. and Europe, must shift its policy toward promoting human rights and justice for Palestinians.
Firstly, the blockade of Gaza must end. This collective punishment of Gaza’s two million inhabitants, many of whom are children, has created a humanitarian crisis that fuels radicalism and resentment.
Opening up Gaza to trade and allowing free movement of people would reduce tensions and give Gazans a chance at normalcy.
Secondly, any negotiations toward a two-state solution must be based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. While this solution has been on the table for decades, it has been continually undermined by Israeli settlement expansion and a lack of genuine commitment from the Israeli government to respect Palestinian sovereignty.
Finally, the international community must invest in peace-building initiatives that include both Israelis and Palestinians. Programs that foster dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the two peoples can help break down the walls of hatred and distrust that have been erected over decades of conflict.
Israel’s recent incursions into Gaza are a tragic reminder of the long-standing injustices that Palestinians face under occupation. While Israel has the right to defend itself from genuine threats, its actions in Gaza represent a gross overreach that cannot be justified under international law.
The United States and its Western allies, by uncritically supporting Israel, bear a significant share of the responsibility for perpetuating this conflict.
Kungu Al-mahadi Adam is a Ugandan Journalist with a passion for current affairs in Africa.
