From Gaza to Iran: We hear cries of people

Just two weeks ago, the eyes of the entire world were on Gaza. All around there was rubble, the cries of bloodied children, the wails of refugees. People, having lost their homes, were fleeing toward unknown destinations. Children stared with helpless eyes due to lack of food. Their gaze repeatedly questioned our conscience. Bombs were even dropped on those shelters where the helpless sought their last refuge for safety.

But today that Gaza has almost disappeared from all discussions. We do not know how the children of Gaza are doing now. Have they received food? Have they received medical care? The world media’s focus has shifted to Iran-Israel tensions. Iran’s nuclear program, regional responses, military preparations—everything is spreading the heat of an uncertain war throughout the Middle East, across Asia. It can be said, across the entire world.

This shift is not only a change in the diplomatic landscape, the continuity of humanitarian catastrophe is becoming increasingly evident. We do not know, as a result of this tension, how many more children will become orphans, how many families will become homeless, and how many more people will die from lack of food and medicine. The cries of Gaza have not yet ceased, yet the world is facing a new war.

The question is, is this global shift in conscience merely a result of political influence? When the people of Gaza were crying out for help to survive, there was nothing for them. Now attention has turned to Iran because this involves the diplomatic and military balance of world powers.

We are forgetting that war is never just a matter between two sides. War means the deaths of thousands of people, the destruction of several generations. War means a return to barbarity. If war breaks out between Iran and Israel, the entire Middle East will stand on the brink of a volcano. That would mean many more Gazas, many more refugee camps, many more dead bodies.

In this crisis, it is necessary to stand for justice. Not just a contest of military power, but humanitarian responsibility is also crucial. The world powers must come forward now—for peace, for human life. Not war, but peace; this must be the principal stance of policymakers.

People today do not want war. People want food, security, freedom. Gaza, Iran, or Yemen—the cries of people are the same everywhere. What we need is a universal humanity that can stand beside all the oppressed, beyond geographical boundaries and political lines.