ANGER, APATHY SUFFOCATE GAZA'S SCREAMS.

KARACHI -- In the heart of the Gaza Strip, a relentless storm of bombs rains down, subjecting a besieged population to a nightmarish reality. Men, women, and children, isolated by a complete blockade, are cut off from life's essentials - fuel, food, water, medical supplies, and electricity. Their cries for help are muffled by a near-total communications blackout, further intensifying their isolation.

In response to the deadliest assault by Hamas, a militant movement and one of the two major political parties in the Palestinian territories, Israel launched an extraordinary military operation on October 7th, marking a distressing chapter in the long-standing, 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As of Saturday, Gaza's Health Ministry confirmed a grim toll - with over 1,600 Palestinians losing their lives since Israel initiated its unrelenting bombardment. Tragically, half of this devastating toll consists of women and children.

For Palestinians in Gaza, Israel's escalating airstrikes have left them with nowhere to seek refuge. Recent satellite imagery reveals that the heavy bombardment has reduced entire city blocks to rubble, with an unquantifiable number of individuals buried beneath the debris and concrete. Fresh health ministry estimates point to an alarming count of over 6,600 injured individuals. Further compounding this dire situation, World Health Organisation's (WHO) records reveal 34 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since last Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 11 health workers on duty, 16 injuries, and widespread damage to 19 health facilities and 20 ambulances. The tragedy has also extended to seven Palestinian journalists, 11 UN Palestinian refugee agency staff, and four medics.

On the sixth day of Israeli airstrikes, mercilessly targeting the Gaza Strip, concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave seem to be growing. The Israeli military claimed that it has dropped 6,000 bombs, weighing 4,000 tonnes, since the onset of the conflict, which averages 1,000 bombs per day. What is even more distressing is a recent revelation by Human Rights Watch (HRW); the New York-based advocacy group confirmed reports that Israeli forces had been firing white phosphorus munitions, which, along with the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, experts believe, constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. For the people of Gaza, this marks yet another traumatic chapter, and as violence intensifies, their means of escape from what is often described as the world's largest open-air prison grow slimmer. However, for beleaguered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his newly formed emergency government, the goal is clear. They are determined to eradicate their foremost adversary, Hamas, at any cost, and so far, their military campaign displays no signs of easing.

Meanwhile, on the Israeli side, the death toll from Hamas's attack has crossed 1,300, including over 200 soldiers. At least 150 citizens, including women and children, are still being held hostage by the militant group. Amidst this somber backdrop, experts stress that the wrongdoings of Hamas cannot excuse those of Israel. It's widely acknowledged that neither side can be justified in intentionally targeting civilians, damaging civilian infrastructure, or conducting indiscriminate attacks.

As this tragedy unfolds, the world watches with a sense of helplessness, witnessing Gaza's descent into darkness. However, a prevailing narrative in the Israel-Hamas conflict seems to overlook the history of violence against Palestinians. In the wake of the multi-front onslaught that began with thousands of rockets fired at Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, with gunmen invading the southern part of the country by land, sea, and even paragliders, an increasing number of world leaders have expressed concern for the loss of life in Israel. Strikingly, many of these leaders have omitted any mention of the unfolding tragedy in Gaza. Leading this chorus, US President Biden was one of the first to reaffirm his government's 'ironclad support' for Israel while condemning Hamas's actions. However, following this statement, the president posted nearly a dozen times on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, without acknowledging the Palestinians who are bearing the consequences of Hamas's actions or the harsh blockade in the densely populated coastal territory.

In the UK, the government issued directives against displaying Palestinian flags on British streets. The leader of the main opposition Labour Party and the frontrunner to be the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, even endorsed Israel's actions, including the restriction of Gaza's water, power, and other vital supplies. The subdued response to the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza has left human rights advocates deeply disturbed. They fear that Israel may be exacting a devastating toll on ordinary Palestinians in besieged territory, with hundreds of civilians, including many children, perishing in the relentless bombardment.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, expressed her concern, stating, 'Deep down, I believe there is a prevailing racism that prevents many of us from recognising the equal value of all human life, with the same dignity, rights, and freedom. It's a troubling issue that needs to be addressed.'

Furthermore, the Italian Human Rights Lawyer cautioned against a 'dangerous' narrative surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasising the omission of the context of violence against Palestinians. The United Nations special rapporteur questioned, 'Have you noticed the statements made by the president of the European Commission until yesterday? Not a single word about the Palestinians, their context, or the victims. Where do the Palestinians fit into this equation?'

'I want to make it clear that I don't contest Israel's right to self-defense or its...