The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has left the world reeling. Images of destruction, death, and displacement have flooded our screens, and we are reminded once again of the devastating toll that conflict can have on civilians. While it is easy to assign blame in these situations, it is important to take a closer look at the root causes of these tragedies.
One key factor that has been consistently overlooked by the media is Israel’s failure to abide by the terms of its ceasefire deal with Hamas. Long before this week’s deadly strikes, Israel had been violating the agreed-upon terms, yet the media has remained silent on this crucial issue. This bias not only skews the narrative around the current conflict, but it also allows for the perpetuation of violence and suffering in the region.
It is no secret that the relationship between Israel and Palestine has been tumultuous at best. Decades of occupation, colonization, and human rights abuses have created a volatile environment that has resulted in numerous wars and countless lives lost. In 2014, the two parties reached a ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, that was intended to ease tensions and provide some relief to the people of Gaza. However, this agreement has been consistently violated by Israel, putting the lives of innocent Palestinians at risk.
The most blatant violation has been the continued blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. This blockade severely restricts the movement of goods and people, effectively isolating Gaza from the rest of the world. The United Nations has declared it a form of collective punishment and a violation of international law. Despite this, Israel has maintained the blockade, causing immense suffering to the people of Gaza who are already living in dire conditions.
In addition, Israel has also violated the ceasefire by launching air strikes on Gaza. These strikes have targeted civilians, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and destruction of homes and infrastructure. The indiscriminate use of force is a violation of international law and is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement. The media has largely ignored these actions, focusing instead on the Palestinian response, painting them as the sole aggressors in the conflict.
Furthermore, Israel has also failed to fulfill its obligations to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was meant to relax restrictions on the entry of building materials into Gaza to aid in the reconstruction effort. However, this has not been done, leaving thousands of displaced Palestinians without a place to call home. This failure to uphold their end of the deal has only added to the suffering and desperation of the people of Gaza.
So why has the media remained silent on these blatant violations? The answer may lie in the long-standing bias towards Israel in Western media. The influence of pro-Israel lobbyists and the narrative of Israel being the only democracy in the Middle East have led to an unquestioning and uncritical attitude towards Israel. As a result, their actions are often justified or overlooked, while the Palestinian perspective is ignored or demonized.
The consequences of this biased reporting are far-reaching. It perpetuates the cycle of violence by absolving Israel of responsibility and portraying Palestinians as the only instigators of conflict. It also helps to justify the ongoing occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. It is time for the media to hold Israel accountable for its actions and report on the violations of the ceasefire agreement.
In conclusion, it is important to recognize that the current violence in Gaza did not begin with the recent airstrikes. Israel’s failure to abide by the terms of the ceasefire deal has been an ongoing issue that has been ignored by the media for too long. The biased reporting on this conflict only serves to perpetuate the suffering of Palestinians and hinder any chance of a peaceful resolution. It is time for the media to tell the whole story and hold all parties accountable for their actions.
