By Joe Aura, Aurajoe6@gmail.com
“Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion, too.
Imagine all the people, livin’ life in peace.”
– Imagine, John Lennon
To mark the first anniversary of Hamas’s attack, the last song heard at the Nova Music Festival was played, followed by a moment of silence in memory of the victims. This song, the best-selling single of John Lennon’s solo career, encourages listeners to envision a peaceful world free from materialism, borders, and religion.
On October 7, 2023, the Nova Music Festival in Israel was violently interrupted by an attack, resulting in up to 1,000 casualties and numerous kidnappings. The horrific events were streamed live, exposing the world to the brutal chaos. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a stern retaliation, strongly supported by the United States. This incident was a significant blow to Israel, a nation known for its advanced defence systems and the intelligence prowess of Mossad. Was this a strategic sacrifice, like a chess queen taken to achieve checkmate? The lives lost far exceeded the value of any chess piece, yet Mossad’s reputation for exceptional intelligence operations remained intact.
Mossad had previously uncovered tunnels used by Hamas within Palestinian territories. Fast forward to September 2024, when Israel executed a meticulously planned attack on allies of its enemies in Lebanon, signalling a new era of warfare. How did Hamas manage to intercept communications and set explosives to detonate at precise moments and locations?
The days following the concert were among the darkest. Disturbing videos emerged from Gaza, showing the dead, children in distress, and grieving mothers. Misinformation spread rapidly, even leading to the President of the United States being misquoted. Humanitarian aid workers and journalists documenting the atrocities faced significant dangers.
Celebrities and social media rallied in support of Palestine, but the world continued its business as usual. In Kenya, groups organized peaceful protests to raise awareness. South Africa, with its history of apartheid, took a bold step by filing a genocide case against Israel, recognizing oppression when they saw it. This case brought hope but also forced nations to take sides. As the American elections approached, there was pressure to adopt an ethical stance. It wasn’t until the attack in Rafah, after witnessing the devastation in Gaza, that countries like the USA began to criticize Israel’s actions.
Following several ceasefire negotiations, Israel continued its operations, targeting individuals and refugee camps. Civilians were advised to flee south, only to be bombarded with missiles. Scarcity of food, water, and healthcare became pervasive, with children being born under the shadow of military-grade weapons and the constant sound of bombs. We witnessed traumatized children and families torn apart, with entire lineages potentially wiped out. What was once a community, a beach where children played, was reduced to ashes, overshadowed by whispers of another war in Lebanon. Many hostages remain unaccounted for, with families still waiting for news of their loved ones. Have they been forgotten? Coverage of Gaza has shifted from top priority to secondary as other conflicts emerge.
This morning, Israel commemorates the loss of its loved ones while continuing operations in Gaza. They reported three missiles fired from the southern strip, all intercepted by the Israeli air force. Investigations are ongoing into how five missiles managed to penetrate Israeli defences.
The world must unite to put an end to this war. The suffering and loss on both sides are immeasurable, and a peaceful resolution is urgently needed.