When Victims Become Perpetrators: Gaza Happens!

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Bradford: What is unfolding in Gaza today is a devastating illustration of how the once-oppressed can, in time, become oppressors. The Israeli state, shaped by a history of persecution and trauma, now stands accused of committing atrocities that many international observers deem indefensible.

A coalition of 27 countries, including the UK, France, Australia, Japan, and several EU nations, has called for an immediate ceasefire and forcefully condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations, particularly its expansion into central Gaza, an area that had previously seen less destruction.

These governments have accused Israel of deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid, exacerbating already dire conditions for civilians.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/abraham-accord-in-ashes-as-israel-bombs-syria/

The UK’s stance marks a notable shift. Having long stood firmly behind Israel, the UK government now appears to be recalibrating. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Israel’s humanitarian efforts as “inhumane” and pledged an additional £40 million in aid for Gaza. Still, critics would argue that  the move is both too late and too little, akin to watering the lamb before slaughter.

In a joint statement, foreign ministers from across Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and North America, alongside the EU Commissioner for Equality, called the situation “horrifying.” They highlighted the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians attempting to access food from Israeli aid convoys and condemned Israel for “drip-feeding” humanitarian supplies, effectively deepening the suffering of a population already on the brink.

Despite mounting global outrage, Israel has largely dismissed international condemnation as “disconnected from reality,” arguing that critics ignore Hamas’s responsibility in instigating the conflict and its use of civilians as human shields.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that more than 1.5 million Gazans face the risk of severe malnutrition, with famine looming well into October.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/diplomacy-and-destruction-navigating-iran-israel-ceasefire/

In a major escalation, Israeli forces have launched a ground and air assault on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an ominous sign of the conflict entering a more destructive phase. Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 people.

Further complicating efforts for transparency, Israel continues to block international media, including the BBC, from reporting freely inside Gaza, raising serious concerns about accountability and the unchecked spread of misinformation.

It is increasingly clear that mere verbal condemnation will not sway Israel’s trajectory. A stronger, more unified international response is needed, one that does not rule out the possibility of sanctions or even military intervention. Israel has repeatedly defied global consensus, buoyed by unwavering support from the United States and key European partners.

Notably, the 27-nation joint statement condemning Israel’s actions does not include a single Muslim-majority country. This conspicuous absence raises troubling questions about the Muslim leadership and whether they have written off the fate of Palestine to Zionist Israel?

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.

The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.