Sunday | 6 October 2024 | Reg No- 06
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Sunday | 6 October 2024 | Epaper

Silence amidst unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Palestine

Published : Tuesday, 24 October, 2023 at 12:00 AM  Count : 463
Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury
The global population, including the people of our country, is well aware of the extreme brutality prevailing in countries such as Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and others, where women, men, children, adolescents, and the elderly are subject to violence and mass killings. Since 1948, the oppressed and marginalized Palestinians have been facing the relentless cycle of injustice. The intrusion of Israel, the Jewish state, into their land initiated an aggression that international communities have largely ignored. Estimating the exact number of innocent lives lost in this ongoing mass killing is an exceedingly difficult task.

While the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state could provide a singularly just solution, various attempts and initiatives, often driven by the interests of Israel or the dissatisfaction of different powerful nations, have repeatedly failed. Neither the United Nations nor the Arab League, a 22-member organization of Muslim countries, have been able to play a meaningful role in this matter for the past 25 years. Peace negotiations have been progressing slowly. However, the ongoing conflict continues to claim lives daily, leaving the people of Gaza in utter despair.

The scenes of daily survival, where Gazans, wounded and bleeding, struggle to cope with an acute shortage of life-saving resources, reflect a gruesome human tragedy. While the world watches, the relentless Israeli assault, characterized by air raids, rockets, and bombings, spares neither women, men, nor children. The heart-wrenching scene of operations without anesthesia and leaving the wounded in pools of blood in hospitals deeply contrasts with the humane values, which Israel and its allies are failing to uphold. Gaza is now transformed into a death trap due to the lack of essential resources for sustaining life.

Israel's ruthless aggression against the people of Gaza has resulted in the destruction of residential buildings, schools, mosques, churches, ambulances, and hospitals. The number of casualties, including women and children, continues to rise day by day. Many powerful nations, with the United States and the United Kingdom among them, have lent their support to Israel, further exacerbating the situation. The ongoing carnage that Israel is perpetrating against the defenseless population has prompted little more than condemnations from various influential countries. In the face of this barbarism, the government and the people of progressive and democratic Bangladesh stand out with resounding support for the Palestinians.

While deeply disheartening, it's an undeniable truth that the persistent presence of anti-India slogans and strong support for the cause of Islam in various elections have stirred a mixture of frustration and curiosity among the resolute population. Those who stand to benefit from suppressing Palestinian interests fail to receive any reproach or condemnation from influential figures, parties, or institutions driven by their own motives and financial interests. The situation in Gaza, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), is spiraling out of control. The Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urges the international community to ensure the safety of American citizens. Hospitals, protected under international humanitarian law, are meant to safeguard everyone. Protecting American citizens is paramount.

The ICRC reports critical shortages in some hospitals. The power crisis, sparked by the conflict, has forced 14 other hospitals to suspend their operations, exacerbating the humanitarian strain. Resources like food, water, and medical care are scarce, and even body bags are running out, making casualty count a race against time.Following the attack, Israel has announced a complete blockade in Gaza, halting the supply of daily essentials, including food, water, and electricity, affecting the lives of 2.3 million people in Gaza. The devastated Gaza is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Juliette Tuma, the head of the United Nations refugee agency in Gaza, stated, 'Immediate assistance is needed for the people of Gaza. Help for Gazans is on its way, and a delay will expose the world to a dire situation.' The UN's humanitarian agency, UNRWA, led by its chief, Philippe Lazarini, has expressed concern, focusing on the Israel-Hamas conflict, stating that it risks entering the 'abyss' of the Middle East and the potential spread of this conflict throughout the entire region. Urging for humanitarian assistance, Lazarini said, 'From electricity to food and medical crisis starting from the burning of the Jallani, it is necessary to open the door for humanitarian assistance there. Humanitarian awareness is essential, focusing on the geopolitics of the Middle East and the urgency of Gaza's crisis. The world is losing humanity. Unconditional and substantial assistance for Gaza is imperative.'

On October 18, 2023, during the 'Sheikh Russell Day - 2023' celebration marking Sheikh Russell's 60th birthday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke while presenting the Sheikh Russell Award - 2023 and the Smart Bangladesh Award - 2023 in various categories. She addressed the situation in Gaza, expressing, 'We've witnessed innocent lives, including children, suffering in Gaza's hospitals due to bombings. I appeal to global leaders to initiate peace efforts and divert resources from arms production to children's development and well-being.' Emphasizing the profound impact of conflict on children, women, and families, she urged redirecting funds from arms races to support children worldwide. Prime Minister Hasina reaffirmed her commitment to peace and offered guidance on providing vital medical care and supplies to the people in Palestine.Through a statement, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the aerial attack on Gaza by Israeli invading forces and simultaneously called for an end to the war.

The statement condemns the Israeli forces for their indiscriminate killings, particularly of women and children, in the aerial attack, stressing that this act violates international humanitarian laws and conventions. Bangladesh deems Israel's actions in Gaza not only politically unwise but also an aggression against the Palestinian people, constituting a severe breach of human rights and international agreements. On October 21st, 2023, Bangladesh mourns the casualties in Palestine due to Israel's ruthless aggression. The national flag flies at half-mast across the nation, and special prayers are organized in mosques on Fridays for the affected Palestinians. This act of condemnation and solidarity has gained recognition from the international Muslim community. Whether this peaceful protest will effectively impact the Palestinian situation remains uncertain.

The writer is Educationalist, former Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University



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