On Sunday, Hamas began firing rockets towards Israeli citizens living in the towns of Ashkelon and Sderot. Within minutes, sirens blared throughout Israel as more and more rockets were fired, indiscriminately targeting civilians. In the subsequent days, more than 4,000 rockets were fired into Israel, and the Israeli government launched retaliatory airstrikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
The death toll has been heartbreaking. In total, more than 200 people have been killed, with the majority of victims being civilians, including countless children. This is a cruel reminder that war does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, and that even in a conflict involving two sides, innocent people are the ones who suffer the most.
The civilians who have been affected by this conflict are largely people who are already living in poverty, with limited access to healthcare and basic necessities. The destruction of homes and the displacement of families as a result of the fighting has only exacerbated their already-difficult living conditions.
Furthermore, the impact of this war has been felt beyond the borders of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The United Nations has called on both sides to end the violence and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Unfortunately, so far, neither side has been willing to budge.
The human cost of this conflict is staggering and the violence must end. The people of the region deserve better and it is up to the leaders of both sides to find a diplomatic solution before more innocent lives are lost. It is up to the international community to put pressure on the parties involved to come to an agreement that will ensure the safety and security of all those living in the region.
Just as we stand with the people of Ukraine, we stand proudly with the nation of Israel and its people against the unprovoked attack by Hamas which has caused a war that has taken a tremendous toll on civilians in the region. It is a reminder of the cruelty of war and of the need for a diplomatic solution that will ensure peace and security for all. Too many innocent lives have been lost already and it is essential that an agreement is reached before any more blood is shed. Let there be peace. Shalom.