THE present situation in Gaza is unimaginable. Israel’s desperate response to Hamas’ military operation is one of total destruction, mass killing, genocide and ethnic cleansing.

They told the Palestinians to leave their homes and then they bombed them. Water and electricity supply and internet were cut, worsening the situation.

The Israelis also denied the Palestinians medical supplies. Palestinian hospitals have less than 50% supply of their medical needs.

Several hospitals have announced that they are shutting down due to a lack of everything even before this recent war.

The hospitals cannot afford to provide food for their patients. Patients need to bring food from home.

Israel is denying Palestinians their basic human rights and this is happening with the complexity of the international community.

On October 17, hundreds of Palestinians were killed when al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was bombed. Officials in Gaza blame the attack on an Israeli air strike.

The Israeli army has denied responsibility and said the attack was due to a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Palestinian health officials say at least 470 people were killed in that explosion.

Doctors say most of the victims were civilians who had been sheltering at the hospital since October 13. They fled there after the Israeli military told civilians to evacuate the north of the Gaza Strip, as it stepped up its air strikes on Hamas.

What we can do?

Muslim countries should stop uttering condemnations, taking to the streets to protest and boycotting products to express their anger against the Israeli aggression towards the Palestinians.

It has been more than seven decades of Israeli oppression against the Palestinians. Now is the time for Muslim countries to take drastic steps to help the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip or West Bank achieve freedom from occupation.

This is particularly urgent as Israel has said it will be going all out to attack the Gaza Strip.   

The least we can do is, share current and genuine information on the situation in Gaza. Then, donate to trusted civil society groups such as MyCare and Cinta Gaza Malaysia for the humanitarian aid fund. – October 21, 2023.

* Abdullah Ameer Izer reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.