Breathe
By Heidi Osuna
This week marked the first anniversary of the atrocious attacks Israel suffered at the hands of the Hamas terrorist organization. On that October 7, more than 1,200 people were brutally murdered and more than 200 taken hostage, ushering in a year of innocent deaths in Israel and Palestine.
That October 2023 marked the beginning of one of the most painful and deadly periods in the recent history of the region. Israel responded with an unbridled offensive without distinguishing between terrorists and civilians, unleashing an alarming wave of violence that forces us to reflect on the horrors of a war conducted by a government without a strategy, blinded by hatred, racism and Islamophobia: that of Netanyahu, which has violated international law.
Although both sides have suffered devastating losses, Palestine has borne the brunt. According to data collected by the UN, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, of whom almost 70% are children and women: more than 16,000 children and 11,000 women. In addition, reports from Save the Children and other organizations warn that at least 20,000 children are missing.
The Israeli offensive has destroyed the homes of millions, displacing 1.9 million people, representing 90% of the total Palestinian population. More than 96,000 people have been injured and approximately 10,000 are under the rubble. These are not just numbers, but shattered lives, incomplete families.
A year may seem short for some, but for Palestinians and relatives of Israeli hostages it has been an eternity. Palestinians face not only shelling, but also hunger, used as another cruel weapon of war. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, 96% of the population - 2.1 million people - suffer from severe or acute hunger. This suffering is a direct consequence of the blockade imposed by Israel, which has prevented the entry of food, medicine and essential supplies.
Portraying the destruction of Palestine is not only devastating, it is also a testament to the cruelty inflicted on innocent civilians. More than 215,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, 84% of medical facilities have been rendered inoperable and 67% of basic facilities, such as drinking water, are no longer functioning. Today, no hospital in Gaza is functioning, and the infrastructure has collapsed, but most seriously, the dignity of an entire people has been outraged.
Netanyahu's failure to secure the return of the 101 Israeli hostages has resulted in an even greater escalation: his government has opened fire on Lebanon, expanding the conflict beyond Gaza and endangering more civilians. Ironically, more hostages have been killed by Israeli bombing than have been rescued in military operations, revealing the tragic paradox of a war that, under the pretext of protecting, ends up sacrificing those it is meant to save.
This year has shown us that violence only breeds more violence, hatred, death and devastation. Global support has strengthened the call for the recognition of two states, a solution in which both Palestinians and Israelis can live in security and dignity. This cry for peace resonates strongly around the world.
Today more than ever, it is urgent to break this cycle of violence and offer a concrete solution to a people who have suffered the worst consequences of a conflict for which they are not responsible. The Palestinian people have the right to live in peace and Israel has the right to live in security. We cannot allow the fate of millions to continue to be marked by the constant threat of perpetual war.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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