THE WORLD MARKS 1 YEAR SINCE ISRAEL’S GAZA ONSLAUGHT

By Ml Luqman Skink, INX Prime News and Current Affairs Editor

Most of us will remember exactly where we were when news broke of the breach of Israel’s impenetrable security wall that divided the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza with Israel.

The morning of October 7, 2023, would simultaneously shock the world and destroy the long-held perception of Israel’s invincibility.

Hamas fighters and other Palestinian resistance groups broke through the apartheid wall in an attack to mark the start of the Al-Aqsa Flood. Palestinians were streamed live raiding Israeli settlements and military sites in the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, killing and capturing hundreds of soldiers and Israeli settlers, a number of whom are still in the hands of the resistance to this day.

One of the first people I reached out to was the Communication and Campaigns Manager at Africa 4 Palestine, Alie Komape. In the flurry of messages that ensued, a text message he sent me still rings true one year later:

"We are about to witness the start of a historic onslaught by the Israelis on Gaza. It has been coming for a long time. Netanyahu and his government will use this as their own 911. This is the excuse they needed to achieve their goals."

365 DAYS LATER, GAZA IS STILL THE ISSUE

Speaking on Prime Live, Komape observed that Palestine and Gaza, in particular, is still the major issue for most South Africans.

"South Africans have continued to speak about Gaza in their dinner conversations, online, and it remains in our collective consciousness. This is all a testament that Palestine remains a major issue for us."

Reflecting on his initial comments made exactly one year ago, Komape said none of us were prepared for the sheer scale of death and destruction we have witnessed in one year.

"Israel has dropped over 12,000 tonnes of explosives over Gaza, that is equivalent to a nuclear bomb. I don’t think anyone of us could have expected it to go this far and for things to get this bad."

GAZA’S GENOCIDE CONTINUES

Komape said the people of Gaza have been on the receiving end of a particularly unique genocide.

He explained that because of Israel’s occupation of Gaza, all of Gaza’s 2.5 million population have been trapped within the territory, unable to escape into a neighboring country or to flee by land, sea, or air.

"The onslaught on Gaza is unique. We have never seen a case whereby 2.5 million people have been condemned to die with no escape and no routes to get out. Even when they were told to flee to so-called safe zones, they were still bombed by Israel."

HAS ISRAEL’S MILITARY PLAN SUCCEEDED IN GAZA?

Komape pointed out that besides relentlessly dropping bombs on civilians in Gaza, the Israeli army has failed spectacularly.

"They don’t have a plan either because even a year later, they continue to bombard Gaza and have started wars on two other fronts with Lebanon and Iran. With this war in Gaza, there is no end in sight for Israel; they have not succeeded in rescuing the hostages and they have not killed off the resistance. They just want to continue the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians."

THE INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE OF GAZA

Speaking to the spirit of resilience of the Palestinian people, he reminded viewers that oppression is not sustainable and that all kinds of oppression will eventually end.

"The Palestinians refuse to die on their knees begging their oppressor for life but prefer to die on their feet fighting for liberation. For generations to come, people will be inspired by the Palestinians."

Komape expressed the view that the Palestinian struggle has captured the imagination and won the admiration of all oppressed people of the world because everywhere, their struggles are similar and relatable.

GAZA HAS WOKEN UP THE WORLD’S CONSCIENCE

Komape shared his belief that as Israel’s onslaught on Gaza continues, the country will find itself isolated diplomatically and will be forced onto the negotiating table to avert a regional all-out war.

"It all depends on how Israel behaves during those talks. They could agree to the terms of a peace deal or continue to be recalcitrant as they have been for a year. But I just don’t have a lot of confidence in Israel as an honest partner for peace in the region."

October 7 has forever changed the dynamics of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. Depending on what happens in the coming weeks, the events of that fateful day will change the world forever.