One year ago today, on October 7th, Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel from Gaza, killing over 1,200 civilians and taking hundreds of hostages. While Hamas has released some hostages, the families of those still in captivity are left anxiously wondering when their loved ones will be freed.
This attack ignited a devastating conflict against Gaza, affecting innocent and guilty alike. Reports suggest that over 40,000 Palestinians have died so far, and the violence shows no signs of stopping. The international community has expressed outrage over the widespread civilian casualties, urging both sides to seek a path toward peace and resolution.
Western media coverage has faced criticism for appearing to align with narratives from the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and the Israeli government. This may be partly due to restrictions preventing journalists from accessing Gaza, which limits their ability to provide a balanced perspective from the Palestinian side.
Many question why this one-sided reporting shouldn’t be considered propaganda. The media has a duty to investigate why Hamas launched its attack. Was it a sudden act of aggression, or was it a response to what they describe as years of suffering under conditions they equate to apartheid?
Critics of the media’s portrayal, like myself, are often labelled as anti-Semitic by some Israelis and Jewish communities. However, I have no agenda other than a genuine desire to hear both sides of the story and to see this conflict move towards peace and resolution. The grievances of the Palestinian people need to be publicly aired, which may be why the South African government has brought Israel before the International Court of Justice.
The conflict in Gaza and the West Bank seems less about territorial disputes alone and more about Israel’s broader intentions to expand its territory and relocate Palestinians. While money is often called the root of all evil, it’s also a driving force in shaping societies. Israel might find it in its interest to propose a plan involving the purchase of a large area of land, perhaps in Egypt’s Sinai desert, where they could build cities and infrastructure for the Palestinian population.
Although costly, this could present a feasible and lasting solution, creating a new Palestinian state and addressing the root issues of the conflict.
