The reality of Gaza behind the Iran-Israel conflict

Torture, human rights violations, genocide, hunger, displacement—such heart-wrenching terms now seem reserved solely for Gaza. For the past twenty months, indiscriminate brutal killings have been ongoing in the region, targeting men, women, and children alike. The hellish massacre in Gaza is hard for any normal person to comprehend. These heart-breaking scenes are not isolated incidents—there are thousands of them. All perpetrated by Israel, backed by the United States. Millions live there in uncertainty. They have no food, no shelter, no contact with relatives. The people of Gaza are enduring an inhumane and tragic life. As if they are trapped in a nightmare. There is no accurate count of how many people have died so far. The procession of the dead grows heavier every day.

Amid the ruins of war, tired and exhausted Gazans stand with plastic basins in hand, hoping for a bit of soup. This sorrowful image is now the reality of Gaza. Rubble from war, food shortages, and lack of humanitarian aid have turned the daily life of Palestinians into a relentless struggle for survival. In an attempt to save their families, people from various areas including Jabalia rush along broken roads every day in search of food. Their fight is not just for food but for life itself, for the chance to live a little longer. War has made their lives unbearable. Standing for hours in front of a kitchen for soup is now a daily routine. Even a little lentil soup brings them great joy. They somehow manage to meet their family’s three meals with that meagre portion. And when they get nothing, they go to bed hungry. At dawn, they return to the truck again, just for a little soup.

Since the beginning of March, Israel has completely blocked food, medicine, and fuel from entering Gaza. As a result, a severe food crisis has emerged in the region, home to 2.3 million people. International organisations have described Gaza as being on the brink of famine. Although some trucks have been allowed to enter under pressure, most of them have not reached the people. Hunger is not the only concern—Israeli bombings continue daily. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 53,000 people have died so far in Israeli military operations, most of whom are women and children. Even the United States, Israel’s closest ally, is now taking a slightly critical stance. France, Germany, and Britain have said the situation in Gaza is unbearable. But these statements are not bringing much change for the Palestinians.

Israel claims it is halting aid to prevent it from falling into Hamas’s hands. But the reality is that this policy has plunged the people of Gaza into a food crisis, leaving them without even a piece of bread to feed helpless children. Beyond political statements, military strategies, or diplomatic disputes, the desires of ordinary people in Gaza are very simple—they just want to live. Thousands of voices in Gaza say the same thing: we want nothing. Just a little food, a bit of safety. So our children don’t die of hunger. This outcry is not just of the people of Gaza—it is a global signal. War is not merely military—it destroys hope, security, and the future of people. While global politics continues calculations around Gaza, the people ask: ‘Who is responsible for my child’s hunger?’ Humanity today is deaf to the cries of Gaza’s children. This has become a moral failure of the entire world.

It is important to note that there is no count of the people buried under houses destroyed by Israeli bombs. The number of injured is in the hundreds of thousands. The situation in Gaza is far worse than how international media portrays it. They are not only killing people but also keeping some alive as markers. Their bodies bear the marks of Israeli brutality. The descriptions of this torture are so harrowing that they are unbearable for most. Palestinians released from Israeli prisons have testified to the inhumane torture they faced. Shameless Israel continues to deny these allegations, but the scars on the victims’ bodies testify to the cruelty of Netanyahu’s forces. Victims have said they were detained on suspicion of being Hamas members and subjected to inhumane torture.

The victims have stated they had no connection with the 7 October attack. Yet, Israel’s forces threw their lives into uncertainty through abuse. Recently, under a ceasefire agreement, Tel Aviv released those prisoners. Some have said that being a resident of Gaza was considered their greatest crime. As a result, they were beaten to the brink of death. Many said death would have been better. The BBC has sent letters to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to verify these allegations, but received no response. The United Nations and several global human rights organisations have expressed strong condemnation and concern. They said detaining people and subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse in this way is completely illegal.

The descriptions given by the victims match the interviews submitted to Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem and the United Nations. The UN interviewed and published testimonies from individuals who returned from Israeli prisons last July. It was reported that detained Palestinians were stripped naked and subjected to electric shocks. They were burned with cigarettes. Deprivation of food and sleep was a daily occurrence. Female prisoners were attacked by dogs. The ferocious dogs would pounce on the detainees, tearing off body parts, while Israeli soldiers looked on and mocked them. A UN report documented several such incidents, including cases of rape and sexual assault.

It stated that this is a specific method of intimidation by the IDF called the Standard Operating System. However, Israel has never acknowledged this. Israel is not allowing journalists from any international media into Gaza. In reality, the entire Gaza Strip has now turned into a prison. Wherever people gather, Israel drops bombs. Bombs have separated children’s heads, hands, and legs from their bodies. The sight sends chills down the spine. Moreover, Netanyahu’s forces have taken control of Gaza’s borders, preventing any food from entering the territory. There is no clean water. Thousands of Palestinians are counting their final moments amid intense hunger and thirst. Children are the worst victims of Israel’s brutality.

There have even been cases where children died in bombings immediately after birth. An entire civilisation has been flattened to the ground. Most of Gaza’s infrastructure is now rubble. Even the areas declared as safe zones have been attacked by Israeli forces. Essentially, the people of Gaza have no place left to seek refuge.

Though former US President Donald Trump promised peace in Gaza during his election campaign, he reversed course once in power. He expressed his desire to turn Gaza into a paradise for his real estate ventures. He stated that the residents of Gaza should be evicted. Although parts of the Arab world have condemned this strongly, some say Trump’s ambitions will never materialise. The people of Gaza have declared they will never leave their homeland as long as they live.

Meanwhile, due to slight tensions with Europe over reciprocal tariffs, the United States may be adopting a more sympathetic political stance towards Gaza. A recent example is French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement, where he said his country would recognise Palestine as an independent state. But raising such a voice in favour of Palestine so late into the war raises suspicions. Whatever the case may be, it is now difficult to predict what fate awaits the people of Gaza. But the world is witnessing and understanding the genocide in Gaza. There is a long history behind the genocide that Israel is carrying out against Palestinians under the guise of a Hamas eradication campaign. Israel and its allies are supplying weapons and overall support for the sake of Israel’s self-defence.

We must not forget that Israel has kept Gaza under military occupation for 56 years and has blockaded it for 16 years—acts that are inhumane and heart-wrenching. The global community realises that an unprecedented and inhumane genocide is taking place in Palestine. This event has pushed the world to a marginal point. Restoring the humanity of the Palestinian people and recognising their right to their birthplace is essential. This genocide in Palestine must end immediately. The dignity of the Palestinians must be restored. The genocide occurring in Palestine carries a grim message for future generations. The world can no longer remain silent. The global community must now urgently call for an end to the genocide in Palestine.

Rayhan Ahmed Tapader: Researcher and columnist