Humanity as First Casualty of Hamas-Israeli War

         BY  CHRIS   AGBEDO

.

On Tuesday, 17 October 2023, a massive blast rocked al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter. At least, 500 people were killed as claimed by the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The devastating explosion that left gruesome scenes has tragically been accompanied by familiar and disheartening companions: the politics of disinformation, propaganda, and blame game.

.

In the Israel-Hamas war, as characteristic of many other conflict situations, truth often becomes the first casualty. The fog of war, coupled with the deliberate dissemination of misinformation and propaganda, can obscure the real events and create a complex landscape where it is challenging to discern the unvarnished truth. In such a context, verifying facts and seeking multiple perspectives becomes crucial to understanding the realities of the conflict. Unfortunately, in the midst of dire human suffering, politics of blame game takes centre stage, diverting attention from the real fundamental issue of loss of humanity.

.

 Whereas Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. This cycle of accusations, often laced with inflammatory rhetoric, perpetuates the conflict and hinders efforts for a peaceful resolution.

.

The international community, too, finds itself divided along political lines in assigning blame, fueling war propaganda, and riding the crest of spins and twisted narratives to lend extra verve to the belligerence of the key parties to the Mutually-Assured Destruction.

.

Some nations support Israel’s right to defend itself, while others condemn Israeli actions and demand justice for Palestinians. This international division makes it increasingly difficult to find common ground and facilitate peace talks. Experience has shown that the Israel-Hamas conflict is not only a struggle on the ground but also in the realm of international media coverage. The international press is not helping matters with their real and perceived biased reportage.

.

Two major news outlets, CNN and Al Jazeera, have come under scrutiny for perceived biases in their reporting of this deeply complex and contentious issue. CNN, one of the world’s most prominent news networks, has faced allegations of pro-Israel bias in its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Critics argue that the network’s reporting tends to favour Israel’s narrative and often emphasizes the security concerns of the Israeli state. They point to instances where Palestinian voices and perspectives are underrepresented or presented in a less sympathetic light. Supporters of CNN, on the other hand, argue that the network strives to maintain balanced reporting but faces inherent challenges in doing so due to access restrictions and the nature of the conflict. They contend that CNN provides a platform for diverse viewpoints.

.

In the same vein, Aljazeera is equally accused of bias in its reporting of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Critics claim that the network’s coverage tends to highlight the suffering of Palestinians while downplaying Israel’s security concerns. They argue that Al Jazeera’s reporting sometimes employs emotional language and grisly video footages that evoke sympathy for the Palestinian cause. Proponents of Al Jazeera assert that the network serves as a vital platform for amplifying the Palestinian perspective and provides an essential counterbalance to what they see as mainstream media’s pro-Israel bias. They argue that Al Jazeera’s reporting helps shed light on the plight of Palestinians.

.

The bombing of a Gaza hospital, a heartbreaking tragedy in its own right, becomes even more poignant when viewed through the lens of the blame game. This dueling of narratives often revolves around a complex web of facts, interpretations, and justifications, making it challenging to ascertain the truth.

.

 Hospitals, particularly in times of conflict, should stand as neutral sanctuaries where the injured and sick can seek care without discrimination. However, in the bombing of a Gaza hospital, this neutrality was shattered, and the political argumentation began to eclipse the stark tragedy. The human cost of this political argumentation is immense. In the face of propaganda, media literacy is an invaluable tool for the public. Critical thinking, fact-checking, and seeking diverse sources of information are essential in navigating the information landscape and forming a more accurate understanding of the situation. Unfortunately, the stories of innocent civilians and patients who perished in the hospital are overshadowed by this back-and-forth. Their suffering, their loss, and their humanity are often reduced to collateral damage in the rhetorical warfare between the parties.

.

 Lost in the blame game are the real people, the innocent civilians and patients who perished in the hospital. Their stories, their lives, and their suffering are pushed to the background. The politics of blame game and war propaganda become a deafening distraction, muffling the cries of those who have lost their loved ones.

In the Israel-Hamas war, it’s tragically the soft targets, such as civilians and non-combatants, who often become the first casualties. Behind the headlines and political posturing are real people – civilians, many of them children, who bear the brunt of this unending conflict. The toll on human lives and infrastructure is staggering. Families are torn apart, homes destroyed, and futures shattered. These individuals bear the brunt of the conflict’s violence, enduring loss, injury, and displacement. In such excruciating circumstances, it is indeed humanity that suffers the greatest loss. The conflict brings about the destruction of lives, homes, and communities, leaving a trail of pain and suffering.

.

The sad incident has raised an agonizing question that reverberates across the globe: where has our humanity gone? The horrifying incident serves as a stark reminder of the depths to which humanity can descend when conflict rages on. This ongoing tragedy serves as a painful testament to the destructive potential of humanity’s most base instincts. The Israel-Hamas conflict is a harsh reminder of the beast that resides within humanity – the capacity for violence, hatred, and the pursuit of revenge. The loss of life in such a setting is an affront to our shared values of compassion and empathy. It underscores the stark reality that in times of conflict, humanity can take a back seat to political and military objectives. The conflict’s relentless impact on human lives underscores the extent to which humanity itself becomes the prime casualty.

.

The Israel-Hamas conflict is deeply rooted in historical grievances, territorial disputes, and a web of religious and political complexities. Over the years, it has defied attempts at resolution, perpetuating a cycle of violence that takes an ever-increasing toll on human lives. The international community has struggled to find a solution to this long-standing conflict. Diplomatic efforts and ceasefires have been short-lived, leading to a sense of helplessness in the face of such unyielding violence. The most distressing about this conflict is the way it has eroded our collective empathy. The constant cycle of violence, with rocket attacks, airstrikes, and ground incursions met with counterattacks, has taken a heavy toll on the ability to empathize with those on the other side. The primal instinct for vengeance often overtakes the capacity for understanding and compassion.

.

 Hospitals are universal symbols of compassion, where lives are saved, and suffering is alleviated. They stand as a testament to our shared commitment to preserving and caring for life. However, in the chaos of conflict, this profound empathy often gives way to brutality. The bombing of a hospital in Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, serves as a chilling reminder of the depths to which the human race can descend when driven by conflict. This horrifying incident showcases the stark reality of the dark side of human nature. It represents an egregious violation of our collective values and a stark departure from our innate sense of empathy and compassion. The loss of life, especially within the confines of a hospital, is an affront to our shared values of humanity and empathy. It serves as a painful reminder that in times of conflict, we can let go of our innate compassion and replace it with hatred, vengeance, and disregard for human life.

.

The international community’s inability to protect a hospital and the lives within is a poignant testament to the inadequacies in our collective responsibility to safeguard the most vulnerable during times of conflict. The al-Ahali hospital bombing and the tragic loss of lives within its walls serves as a heart-wrenching testament to the darkness that can manifest in human nature during times of conflict. The horrific incident is a stark example of how empathy can be buried under the rubble of hatred and indifference. The Israel-Hamas conflict, a seemingly endless struggle, has claimed a relentless toll, with the most tragic casualty being our shared humanity. As the violence continues, the erosion of empathy and the disregard for human life have become painfully evident. The Gaza Hospital bombing is a tragedy that shocks the conscience and leaves us questioning the state of our humanity.

The question remains whether the world is doing enough to prevent the erosion of our shared humanity.

.

 The Israel-Hamas war is a painful reminder that our shared humanity is fragile but not irretrievably lost. In the face of such devastation, we must reaffirm our commitment to empathy, understanding, and a genuine desire for peace. It is only through cooperation and dialogue that the cycle of violence can be broken. The Israel-Hamas war, with its unending violence and human suffering, forces us to confront the erosion of our shared humanity. It’s a reminder of the need for empathy, peace, and the preservation of our shared humanity. We must work tirelessly to ensure that humanity takes precedence over conflict and that the casualties of war are the values we hold dear. In this moment of despair, we must come together to rekindle the flame of empathy and compassion. We must ensure that such acts never happen again and work toward a world where our shared humanity takes precedence over hatred, violence, and cruelty. In the face of such tragic events, we must reaffirm our commitment to values of compassion, empathy, and the protection of human life. It is our duty to demand accountability for those responsible and work towards a world where such heinous acts are unthinkable. As the world watches, hoping that one day, the cycle of violence can be broken, and the beast in our humanity can be tamed, it behooves us human beings to transcend these primal instincts and seek to build a saner society anchored on peace, empathy, compassion, and mutual understanding.

.

AGBEDO is a Professor of Linguistics and Director, Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka