Genocide in Gaza: How colonialism has alienated you from your own humanity

The discomfort you feel speaking up about genocide in Palestine: How colonialism has alienated us from humanity

Why does speaking about Gaza feel so unsettling?

There is an undeniable discomfort that arises when we speak of genocide in Gaza, a conflict rooted not only in geopolitics but also in a long history of colonialism. That discomfort? It is a manifestation of how deeply colonialism has alienated us from our own humanity. It has made us bystanders, distant observers, to a grotesque tragedy that demands our empathy and action. Every day, the children of Gaza are bombarded by forces much larger than themselves—forces of colonial interests, global profits, and silent complicity.

How many of us have spoken up about the atrocities in Gaza? How many of us have chosen silence because the violence feels too far away, too complex, or too heavy to carry? That silence—our silence—perpetuates a chasm in our spirit, a gap that must be bridged if we are to mend not just Palestine, but the frayed web of life on this planet.

What is really behind the Gaza conflict?

The Gaza Strip, a densely populated enclave with limited access to basic resources, also happens to sit on discovered natural gas reserves. Control over this resource could shift the region’s geopolitical landscape.

Israel’s claims over Gaza, under the guise of security and defence, have deep-rooted economic motivations as well. The ongoing siege, disguised as a fight against terrorism, has underlying ambitions to secure control over these natural gas fields. With billions of dollars at stake, this conflict becomes about more than just land and people—it’s about wealth, power, and global energy politics.

How many children have to die before we pay attention?

As of recent reports, the number of Palestinian children killed in Gaza is nothing short of horrifying. Over 2,000 children have perished in the ongoing airstrikes since the conflict escalated. Schools, once sanctuaries for learning, are now sites of rubble and death. In 2024 alone, more than 75 schools have been bombed. Hospitals, where the wounded seek refuge, are also targets; at least 25 medical facilities have been attacked, crippling the healthcare system. These are not just numbers—they are lives lost, futures extinguished, and families shattered beyond repair. The genocide in Palestine is the most documented, photographed and chronicled, not to forget bloodied genocides in World history. Slaughtering are being live streamed, while the politicians steady a finger on their lips.

Consider Noor, a seven-year-old girl who lost both her parents in an airstrike. She survived the blast, but her life will never be the same. Noor’s story is not unique. Thousands of Palestinian children are being robbed of their childhood, their futures dimmed by the smoke of bombs and the deafening roar of fighter jets.

What weapons are being used in Gaza?

The ammunition used in Gaza isn’t just any ordinary arsenal. Israel and its allies have deployed Gaza-specific bombs—high-tech, precision-guided munitions designed to cause maximum destruction. One such weapon is the GBU-39, a small-diameter bomb made by Boeing, capable of penetrating deep into buildings. Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s largest defence contractors, manufactures drones that have been used extensively in Gaza. These companies rake in billions of dollars in profits, with Boeing’s annual revenue standing at over $66 billion. Elbit Systems alone earns about $4 billion annually.

The international defence industry is inextricably tied to the violence. Companies like Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin supply advanced weaponry to Israel. These corporations are driven by profits from conflict zones like Gaza, their stock prices surging with every missile launched.

Who benefits from the Gaza genocide?

Beyond arms dealers, corporations across the globe are quietly profiting from the ongoing genocide. Caterpillar, an American company, provides the bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes, while Hewlett-Packard (HP) maintains the surveillance technology used in the Israeli occupation. In India, Adani Group has reportedly partnered with Israeli firms in defence and technology sectors. Europe’s Airbus, Asia’s Mitsubishi, and countless others benefit indirectly from the military-industrial complex that sustains the violence in Gaza. These corporations profit off destruction, their bottom lines built on the backs of the oppressed.

What about the journalists and truth-tellers?

It is not just the children of Gaza who are paying the price. Journalists, those brave enough to document and report on these atrocities, have also been targeted. This year alone, 22 journalists have reportedly been killed in Gaza, with others injured or jailed for trying to bring the truth to the world. Among them was Rami Al Refee, a 27-year-old Palestinian reporter who lost his life when an Israeli airstrike hit a building she was covering. She had been live-streaming the conditions in a Gaza hospital, hoping to show the world the grim reality of life under siege.

Citizen reporters, too, risk their lives. In fact the role of citizen reporters has nothing been less than heroic. They have risked their lives, buried countless dead and soldiered on to tell the World all about the ground realty.Ahmed, a 19-year-old Palestinian, used his phone to capture the destruction in his neighbourhood. His footage went viral on social media before his death in another strike. These voices are silenced not just by bombs but by the world’s failure to listen. 

I have followed this genocide through the lens of Motaz Hilal Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his coverage of truth. The way he has shown the brutality of the ground situation, this person deserves that Prize. Certainly doing more than Obama did to win the Nobel.  Sadly even if wins any awards, he has lost more than a dozen family members and several friends, not to mention his home. Should documenting ruthless bombings be a vocation for a young 20 something year old talent? I am sure he has not chosen this. Many reporters haven’t. They are risking everything for a purpose. A sense of purpose to bring forward the correct facts. 

Why does global silence speak so loudly?

And yet, the world remains largely silent. Where are the voices of our global celebrities, the ones who pride themselves on activism? While the world cries for Ukraine, where are the same voices for Gaza? Their silence is deafening. When celebrities with millions of followers fail to speak out, it signals complicity. In their silence, they encourage the continued oppression, turning a blind eye to the injustices unfolding before them.

What if Anne Frank had witnessed Gaza?

Let us imagine, for a moment, that Anne Frank had witnessed the Gaza genocide. As a victim of the Holocaust, she knew the deep suffering of being persecuted for simply existing. Her words, which have inspired generations, would likely take on a haunting resonance if she were alive today to write about Gaza.

Anne Frank once wrote, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” 

But if she were witnessing the Gaza genocide, would she still feel that way? Would her optimism about humanity survive the horrors of bombs falling on schools and hospitals, the deaths of children, and the global indifference to it all? She, too, was a child caught in the crossfire of larger political and military forces, much like the children of Gaza today. The human spirit, she believed, could endure anything—but for how long can we endure this collective silence?

Can we still save our humanity?

The genocide in Gaza is not just an issue for Palestinians—it is a wake-up call for the world. Our inability to speak up, to act, is a reflection of how far we have been alienated from our humanity. This chasm between us and the suffering of others grows wider with each passing day. 

We must reclaim our voices, our empathy, and our humanity if we are to address not just Gaza but the larger issues of our dying planet.

We must honour the dead, the children whose lives were snuffed out before they could blossom. 

We must pray for the world to awaken, to end this cycle of violence and choose compassion over conflict, humanity over hatred.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Gaza often targeted by Israel?

Gaza is a strategically significant area, and the discovery of natural gas reserves has heightened tensions. Israel's military campaigns are framed as defence against terrorism, but the economic interests in the region are undeniable.

2. How many schools and hospitals have been bombed in Gaza?

In 2024 alone, more than 75 schools and 25 hospitals have been attacked in Gaza.

3. Who are some of the companies profiting from the Gaza conflict?

Companies like Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, and Elbit Systems in Israel, alongside corporations such as Caterpillar and Hewlett-Packard in the U.S., profit from the ongoing conflict.

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*Tushar Mangl writes on mental health, soul food, leisure activities and a greener, better society. Speaker, author of "Hey Honey Bunch," "Ardika," and "I Will Do It."*