World Is Silent As Gaza Bleeds Before Our Eyes

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The world watches, in real time, through satellite television, the killing of men, women, and children in Gaza.
Bombs on the innocent
Schools, hospitals, mosques, and homes are bombed. Entire families are wiped out. Aid workers are killed.
Even journalists are killed, so that the atrocities committed against innocent civilians go unreported.
ADSFood, water, and medicine are barred from entry. A population of over two million is being starved. Surgery is performed without anaesthesia.
A people stripped of dignity
An entire population has been robbed of their dignity and their right to live as human beings.
It is heart-rending to watch them desperately search for food and water. Mothers helplessly watch their children slowly starve to death. Hundreds of aid trucks sit idly at the border, unable to enter.
The world watches helplessly, but with growing fury and frustration.
Netanyahu’s indifference and Trump’s enabling
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unmoved by international opinion. One Israeli politician even described the babies of Gaza as “enemies of Israel”. 
Netanyahu's actions are seemingly backed by US President Donald Trump, whose support he appears to value above all else.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuTrump could stop him - if he chooses to.
Business as usual?
How can the rest of the world carry on as if it is business as usual?
A world war was fought, in part, to end the Holocaust. A Jewish state was carved out of Palestinian land to assuage the guilt of Britain and America.
ADSBut the plight of the displaced Palestinians was ignored. That tragedy continues.
Is the two-state solution still being pursued? Or does Israel want to end that prospect once and for all?
UN paralysis and international inaction
Thus far, the international response has been largely rhetorical. Vague threats of sanctions are uttered in Western capitals. But threats without consequences are hollow.
UN secretary-general António Guterres did what he could. He invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter - rarely used - urging the Security Council to act to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Yet a resolution calling for a ceasefire was vetoed by the US.
South Africa brought a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Genocide Convention.
The ICJ issued provisional measures, ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Israel has ignored both the UN and the ICJ, and global opinion.
The silence of the wealthy
Meanwhile, wealthy Arab nations - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates - spend trillions on US weapons and investments.
Yet they have failed to use their economic leverage to pressure Trump or Israel. Nor have they done enough to aid the people of Gaza.
Where is the civilised world?
Where are the powerful nations? Where is the so-called civilised world?
Israel justifies its actions as a response to the Hamas attacks on Oct 7, 2023, which killed many Israelis and resulted in hostages being taken. Israel and its allies insist on their right to self-defence.
Many of us condemn Hamas. They should release the remaining hostages, disband, and leave Gaza.
Their failed resistance has only brought more suffering to Palestinians and given Netanyahu the justification he seeks for this brutal war.
Retaliation without restraint
But Israel’s response has gone far beyond self-defence.
Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed - many of them women and children. More than 120,000 have been injured.
Over 70 percent of Gaza’s buildings, including homes, hospitals, and mosques, have been destroyed. Water and electricity have been cut.
Is this truly self-defence?
Two million people are being pushed back and forth, herded like cattle to allow for Israeli bombardment.
The elderly, the weak, the young - those who cannot move fast enough - are killed.
Scenes of horror
The images coming through our television screens are unbearable: dead bodies, wounded children, starving infants, desperate parents scavenging for food and water.
We salute the courage and compassion of aid workers, ambulance drivers, and medical personnel who risk their lives to help the wounded.
We honour the journalists who continue to report from Gaza, despite the danger.
What more must be done?
The rest of us sit by—helpless. Hoping. Praying. But is that enough?
What more must be done to awaken the conscience of humanity? - Mkini
DAVID DASS is a lawyer, Malaysiakini subscriber and commentator.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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