October 7th, 2023 was an ordinary day for most people. I was at home, enjoying the weekend off from school. From a historical perspective, October 7th, 2023 holds great significance.
On this day, 2,100 civilians were killed after an airstrike launched by Hamas hit the nation of Israel. The incident only triggered a centuries-long debate. Who is at fault for the events we have seen in this Middle Eastern region? Is it Palestine, the nation from which Hamas originates? Is it Israel? There is no definitive answer to this question, but we can observe the perspectives that both sides offer when it comes to this war.
Most historians believe the conflicts that have emerged between these two nations date back to 1947. The United Nations proposed the Partition Plan for Palestine, essentially splitting this territory into a Jewish and Arab state. In 1948, the Arab-Israeli War broke out between Israel and 5 Middle Eastern nations (Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon). By 1949, Israel had gained control of old British territory, while Jordan controlled the West Bank and Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip. Flash forwarding to 2024, areas like the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been largely affected by the Israel and Palestine conflict. Homes, schools, shops, and the livelihood of those living in these Palestinian areas are gone in an instant. Over 1 million Palestinians have been faced with food and medical shortages due to the harsh conditions. Hamas has kidnapped at least 254 Israelis and Americans, leaving many Israelis fearing for their safety. Protesters storm the streets nationwide, demanding the freedom of those innocent people in captivity. Hundreds of thousands live in fear, unable to anticipate if their lives are at stake.
The power of social media has allowed ordinary citizens to oversee the conditions in which Israelis and Palestinians have faced since October 7th. Activists and influencers have used their platforms to speak for those who may be unable to.
After the events that unfolded on October 7th, the death toll for this war lies around 43,000 civilians. The lives of innocent people are at stake as long as this war continues.
