AS some semblance of normality returns to Gaza following a ceasefire that ended 11 days of savage Israeli bombardment, efforts of the global community must focus on rebuilding the devastated region. However, while helping Gaza’s people rebuild their shattered lives is essential, the international community must also hold the Israeli state to account for its crimes, specifically the indiscriminate targeting of children in Palestine. Some 250 people were killed by Israeli bombs in Gaza, including over 60 children. As of now 800,000 people in Gaza don’t have access to clean drinking water while the UN’s humanitarian affairs agency OCHA says 6,000 people have been left homeless by the bombardment. The international community must ensure that the people of Gaza are kept safe from disease and hunger, as the coastal strip’s infrastructure has been pulverised by Israel. Moreover, adequate psychiatric and trauma care is needed, specifically for children; the international NGO Save the Children says Gaza’s youngsters will live with the scars of war “for years to come”. Reports emerging from the territory paint a bleak picture of children constantly terrified, in fear of when the next bombs will drop on them. While most members of the Arab League and OIC were conspicuous by their silence or made lame calls for ending the ‘violence’, the least they can do now is dig into their deep pockets and generously provide help for the Palestinian people.

This is the fourth time Israel has unleashed its brutish, deadly might on the hapless people of Gaza since 2008. It is a sad reality that the world community — specifically the high and mighty of the world order, who go out of their way to shield Israel from censure — sits back and watches the slaughter of Palestinians every few years, and then steps in to ‘rebuild’. While the targeting of civilians anywhere is unacceptable, including by Hamas, Israel’s response is by no means proportionate, and in many instances very much fits the definition of war crimes. The US keeps upholding Tel Aviv’s right to self-defence in the face of Hamas’s rocket fire. But does the mass murder of civilians — children, the sick, those with special needs — come under the doctrine of self-defence? The self-declared champions of human rights must answer this question. Bringing Palestinians aid is important, but more important is preventing their mass killing in the first place. Israel must be held accountable for its murderous forays by the international community.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2021