Palestinian lives matter!

Editor's note: Xin Ping is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, Global Times, China Daily, etc. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.   

10,328. This is the number of Palestinian lives lost up until November 6, 2023 in the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, among which 4,237 were children.   

In the past month, the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has kept rocketing and there is no sign that this calamity will end soon. The numbers, cold in print, are actually persons who had a life in which they were loved. A mother who was stitching and sewing for her son. A father who was searching for bread and drinking water for his family. A grandma or grandpa praying for a peaceful day. And in more than one third of the cases, a small kid who had no idea of the brutality of the real world.   

The latest severe death toll comes from the two Israeli strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp within 24 hours, which killed at least 195 persons and injured more than 770, with another 120 still missing. These victims as refugees were already the most disadvantaged. They, as well as all the Palestinian people living in Gaza, should have the basic human rights to life and security. They are entitled to freedom from fear, suppression and inhumane treatment, just like every human being across the globe is. But unfortunately, the majority of the civilians in Gaza have been deprived of most of these rights due to years of disputes between the Israelis and the Arabs. The latest round of Israeli attacks starting from October 8 has only exacerbated their misery.    

Although it is never easy to find out the real fuse for each crossfire between Palestine and Israel along their turbulent history, it is quite obvious this time that what Israel has done in its military operation of "revenge" against Hamas is totally in-discriminate, disproportionate and beyond a reasonable range. Its savage bombing all across Gaza has turned this restless land into an Inferno.

The undifferentiated attacks at residential places, civilian infrastructures like hospitals, and even refugee camps are massacres without a doubt. To cut off water, food and fuel from millions of civilians is slaughter in disguise. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) advanced its airstrikes together with land operations without paying any attention to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution prescribed in the law of war and international humanitarian law.

In carrying out what they call self-defense measures, they have failed to fulfill the obligation to spare civilians. The IDF has become a Satan wielding a scythe to reap the innocent lives of Palestinians. What it has done is wrong, both morally and legally. Those who command it to fire at the civilians must be held accountable for the crime they commit.

The world is responding to the barbarity – Bolivia has severed diplomatic ties with the country committing crimes against humanity. Chile, Columbia and Jordan have called back their envoys to show their rage. The Europeans are "appalled" by the atrocity in Jabalia and have asked Israel to fulfill its obligations. The United Nations Assembly has passed by a majority vote a resolution calling for an immediate truce and a halt of hostile operations. In New York, London, Paris, Rome, Munich, Madrid, Istanbul, Sydney and many other places around the world, protesters are condemning Israeli brutality and supporting Palestinians' legitimate rights. Conscience and justice are in the heart of every virtuous and honest human being.  

It is only the United States who remains a maverick. It continues to supply ammunition to its close ally in the name of supporting "self-defence." It has stood in the way to block two UN Security Council resolutions urging a ceasefire and protection of civilians. It even tries to blame others for not siding with it.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that a ceasefire is not the right answer to the conflict. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller dismissed the request for an international investigation into the blast in Ahli Arab Hospital as "inappropriate."

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill gave a nod to more weapons to the scorched land. They turned a blind eye to the desperate Palestinian father holding the tiny body of his dead child in his arms. They turned a deaf ear to the helpless cry of the toddler nestling upon the cold chest of her dead mom. They do not care about the pain and grief of every Palestinian whose family is shattered by Israeli bombs. They managed to remain indifferent as the tearful girl covered in dust stood in the rubble and questioned why she had to endure such unfairness. Nothing about the Palestinians matters, neither their lives nor their future.

Enough is enough. It must not go on like this. People on the earth who want no more tears and bloodshed, no more sorrow and pain, must unite to oppose the murderous actions and make every effort to untie the Gordian Knot between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Cease fire now and forever. The first thing to do is to put away the guns and eliminate hostilities. This is the quickest way to stop the loss of life. Nothing can justify the killing of civilians, including the so-called "elimination of terrorism."

Allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. To starve the people in Gaza to death is as brutal as killing them by gunfire. To encircle the unarmed and the vulnerable is shameful bullying. Inhumane crimes must be met with the full wrath of the law. 

Stop muddying the water. Dragging on the tension for one's own interest is despicable. No country or people deserve to be played by any super power as a pawn in its geopolitical calculation. To maintain one's hegemony at the cost of innocent lives is an act of sheer evil.

Find the right way out. It is clear that the thousand-year-old conflicts in this region cannot be resolved through war or killing. The land has been soaked with too much blood and tears. If the Israeli people have a right to have their own state, why not the Palestinians? It is time to come back to the path leading to "Two States." Every country with a sense of honor and responsibility should facilitate a workable approach. Hope is on the rotating Chair of the UNSC this month to achieve more with its wisdom and keep away disruptions by irresponsible actors.

Let us bear in mind that the right to life is the most precious for human beings. No one can deprive this right from innocent people. Palestinian lives matter! Everyone's life matters!

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