Bleeding Gaza exposes a tale of global complicity, international failure, and indifference toward Israel’s flagrant human rights violations and war crimes. The ongoing devastation in Gaza, one of the most protracted and destructive conflicts of contemporary time, continues to haunt the world with its grim reality. Thousands of lives have been lost, homes destroyed, and the region’s very infrastructure annihilated. Over the decades, Israel’s military presence, blockades, and airstrikes, coupled with Palestinian factions’ militant responses, have left Gaza in a state of perpetual destruction and a symbol of human suffering. Its residents, trapped in an open-air prison with limited access to resources, healthcare, and freedom, continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. But the question of responsibility can be answered by examining the role of the various international actors involved.

The Role of Israel

Israel, as the occupying power, bears significant and glaring responsibility for the unimaginable sufferings and devastating situation in Gaza. The ongoing military operations, airstrikes, and siege have created an environment of fear and suffering for civilians. While Israel defends its actions as a means to protect itself from militant groups like Hamas, and cites the October 7,2023 Hamas attack to justify its heinous and indiscriminate killing of 46,000 innocent civilians and turning Gaza into 42 million tons of rubble, which is compelling the world to question the proportionality and legality of its military operation. The War did not start on October 7,2023; the Hamas attack was a retaliatory and defensive response to the years long atrocities and miseries inflicted on the Gaza’s people by Israel. Israel is deliberately capitalizing on the Hamas attack to pursue its draconian long-term goals of expansionism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous people of Gaza. Despite the ceasefire deal, Israeli troops continue shooting helpless Gazans. Its actions are a sheer violation of international law and explicit war crimes.Israel’s actions are explicit war crimes.

The United States: A Strategic Ally

The United States’ unflinching support for Israel has been a cornerstone of the conflict’s dynamics. Over the years, the US has provided Israel with extensive military aid, diplomatic backing, and political cover, particularly in the United Nations Security Council, where it has repeatedly vetoed resolutions critical of Israel’s actions. While Washington justifies its support as a strategic alliance and a commitment to Israel’s security, this stance has fueled Palestinian resentment and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. The US’s role has been one of complicity in maintaining the status quo. By clearly neglecting the Palestinian rights and aspirations for statehood, the US has not only failed to act as a neutral mediator but has also become an enabler of Israel’s policies in Gaza. The US’s silence in the face of Israeli actions in Gaza has left many questioning whether it is genuinely invested in finding a lasting peace or if its interests lie in maintaining regional dominance. The US could have played its role in preventing Israel from devastating Gaza, because the former has significant influence over the latter, but President Trump’s latest provocative address to take over Gaza and decision to withdraw from UNHRC and UNRWA suggest that humanitarian concerns take a back seat to strategic interests.

Arab States: A Divided Response

Arab nations, while historically vocal in their support for the Palestinian cause, have been largely ineffective in translating their rhetoric into meaningful action. The Arab League has failed to present a unified front, and many Arab countries have prioritized their own geopolitical interests over Palestinian rights. While countries like Egypt and Qatar have attempted to mediate ceasefires and provide humanitarian aid, their efforts have been limited by political constraints and competing interests. The normalization of relations between some Arab states, like the UAE and Bahrain, with Israel under the Abraham Accords has further complicated the situation. The shift in Arab diplomacy has left Palestinians feeling abandoned and isolated, as they no longer have the unwavering support of their neighbors.

The United Nations: A Symbol of Inaction

The United Nations, established to promote peace and security, has often been criticized for its impotence in addressing the Gaza conflict. Despite numerous resolutions calling for an end to the blockade and the protection of Palestinian civilians, the UN has been unable to enforce its decisions. The Security Council’s paralysis, due to the US’s veto power, has rendered the UN an ineffective and irrelevant body in bringing about real change. Humanitarian agencies under the UN banner, such as UNRWA, have done their best to provide aid to Gaza’s residents, but their efforts are often hampered by limited resources and the ongoing blockade by Israel. The inability of the UNSC to hold Israel accountable for its actions, despite President Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest warrant from the ICC for war crimes in Gaza, and the lack of enforcement of international law have contributed to the sense of powerlessness that pervades Gaza.

Global Powers: Geopolitical Interests Over Humanitarianism

Countries like Russia, China, UK and the European Union have also played a role in the Gaza conflict, though often from a more diplomatic standpoint. They have been more vocal in advocating for a two-state solution, secure their own geopolitical interests, rather than focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The broader international community has been slow to act decisively, and the lack of unified action has allowed the status quo to persist. Political and economic interests have consistently overshadowed the urgency of resolving the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

It is a collective failure—a failure of Israel to respect international law and humanity, a failure of the United States to act as an impartial mediator, a failure of Arab states to unite for the Palestinian cause, a failure of the United Nations to enforce its resolutions, and a failure of the international community to prioritize human rights over geopolitical maneuvering. The world should be ashamed of itself; everyone has failed Gaza by sitting silently and not taking action against the perpetrator of genocide. Enough of the killings, suppression, and displacement of helpless Palestinians from their soil. The genocide must stop now. UNSC and other actors  must ensure that the ceasefire should remain in place until and unless all hostages are released, a viable path for a two-state solution is provided, and Israel is held accountable for its heinous genocidal acts.