Since the Israel-Gaza war began on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 40,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis have been killed. Tragically, the killings persist, with only the most recent of Israeli hostages, affecting us all.
On Aug. 31, Biden declared that Israel recovered six Israeli hostages’ remains, including Carmel Gat, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hamas murdered them after months of torture and starvation. Among them, Hersh, an Israeli-American, had been one of the most pivotal faces in the conflict since his kidnapping from the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023, in which Hamas released a video revealing him with an amputation.
Hersh advocated for peace, having a poster with “Jerusalem is Everyone’s” written in English, Arabic, and Hebrew. His parents have shared stories of his support for peace, as well as made personal pleas for an end to the violence in the Middle East at the Democratic National Convention — only 10 days before his announced murder. His father, Jonathan Goldberg-Polin, stated, “There is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict in the Middle East in a competition of pain. There are no winners.”
The nightmare does not end there. Israeli forces killed at least 20 Palestinians recently, on Aug. 20, as they targeted a market in Deir al-Balah, a designated “humanitarian zone,” as well as a school, within hours of one another. 10 days prior, on Aug. 10, they targeted yet another school, Al-Taba’een, which provided refuge to more than 1,000 Palestinians, killing at least 100. Omar al-Jaabari, an 11-year-old whose precious face I cannot get out of my head, was among the victims. After suffering fourth-degree burns, his condition worsened as a result of Gaza’s crumbling health infrastructure, according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. For Palestinians, the cycle of displacement continues as they search for safe havens to spend the night in. With many wondering where to go, they end up sleeping on the streets, just as in Khan Younis, running the risk of contracting polio.
I mourn for the innocent civilians — Palestinians and Israelis — and their relatives, whose tears fall more than the last each day.
Each vicious act seen has made many individuals oblivious and blind to the suffering of the other side as they focus solely on their side. Expressing sympathy for Palestinians and Israelis — civilians and hostages — does not mean you are voicing support for Hamas and Netanyahu. Please distinguish between the people and those in power. Additionally, you are not abandoning your people. Instead, you are displaying your humanity and maintaining your moral compass. Therefore, shame on those who downplay, dismiss, and ignore the crimes each side faces.
As I write this on Sept. 1, hundreds of thousands of Israelis are protesting and filling the streets of Tel Aviv, reported to be the largest demonstration yet due to the hostages’ murders, provoking intense and palpable emotions.
Mical Raz, a Professor of History at the University (currently on sabbatical in Israel), expressed her anguish and outrage over how a ceasefire deal bolstered by Netanyahu may have prevented the tragedies. “Hamas kidnapped and killed Hersh and the other hostages in cold blood. However, Netanyahu knowingly sacrificed them to keep his extremist right-wing coalition intact, thwarting deals and prolonging the war that has pulverized Gaza, harmed Israel, and only served to prolong his stay in power,” she said.
We are in an abyss of despair with each loss. I listen to “Changing of the Guards,” where Bob Dylan sings, “Peace will come. With Tranquility and Splendor,” and think, just how long before this ends?
My voice is one of many calling for the same thing: an instant ceasefire, a cry for action to bring the remaining hostages home before it is too late and stop the horrors of waves and waves of slaughters in Gaza.
May the remembrances of Carmel, Alex, Almog, Ori, Eden, Hersh, Omar, and the countless massacred be nothing short of blessings in our souls.
