“In Gaza, some of us cannot completely die.
Every time a bomb falls, every time shrapnel hits our graves,
every time the rubble piles up on our heads,
we are awakened from our temporary death.”
-Mosab Abu Toha, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza
Palestine, recognized as the State of Palestine, is located in the Middle East. Where it sits along the Southern Levant region. Israel has occupied Palestine since 1967 during the Six-Day War. The Six-Day War was a short term war lasting only six days. Ending with the capture of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and others. Which goes on to the displacement of many Palestinians. This ongoing war with Palestine and Israel was a dispute over land. Now, it’s an endless killing of Palestinians who are forced to live in constant fear.
This is more than a war, this is a genocide. Anguish, misery, and suffering is nowhere near enough to even begin describing the situation in Palestine. Innocent people are dying everyday, with no exception to children or the elderly. We are in a time when violence and murder is slightly overlooked. Yet, so overlooked that the conditions in Palestine are becoming more dangerous each day. But people continue to turn their heads to this issue. However, there is barely any change to this problem. What had begun as war for land became a war of carnage and the extermination of Palestinians.
IDF. (Israel Defense Forces) The national military branch of the state of Israel, “protects” their country, as well as providing the safety of their citizens. Due to the IDF’s military, it has resulted in the many deaths of Palestinians, and the destruction of countless buildings in Gaza. This is no longer just protecting their people. This is a holocaust in Palestine. Demonstrating what true evil, greed, and cruelty really looks like.
Imagine waiting in line for humanitarian aid. You can’t, because you have those resources. Yet, there are children, families, and the elderly who count on it everyday. Without humanitarian aid, they would have no source of food, water, medical supplies, or materials for shelter. But it is not always available. Israel has used their power to limit and confine aid and the basic necessities to Palestine. Not just during the war, but for nearly two decades. 20 years of rejecting any requests for help, even if it’s for emergencies. As of December 30, 2025, a “security measure” has banned 37 NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) from operating in Gaza and the West Bank (OHCHR, 2026). Palestine deserves freedom, and they deserve it now.
For over one million children in Palestine, being in war has been their childhood. They have lost their right to an education. Over 90% of school and university buildings have been left to rubble (UN News). These children have lived a life of oppression, displacement, and suffering. Without the chance to make friends, experience new hobbies, or live a normal life. All they’ve experienced was loss. If you believe this is any way justified, think of them like your own children. Not one child deserves to go through any of this. They have grown up seeing more blood than fresh water.
War cannot end in a day. But we have the opportunity to make a difference for the Palestinian people. There are many organizations dedicated to bringing humanitarian aid to Palestine. You can be a part of this change. By doing simple things such as boycotting or donating. If you choose to donate but you aren’t sure which site is reliable, you can donate to Human Concern International. This organization has provided aid to the people of Gaza for more than 20 years. They have provided many necessities such as water, food, medical aid, hygiene products, baby formula, and much more. They continue to send aid trucks through the border heading towards Gaza.
This is all thanks to the help of donations. No matter the amount, it can still help change the life of someone in Palestine. If you choose to boycott, you can boycott companies such as McDonalds, Nestlé, and Starbucks. It’s important to remember that boycotting is a privilege. Being able to reduce the amount of money you give to these companies helps. Be grateful about where you’ve come from and the freedoms you’ve been given. Not everyone has those same opportunities.
Brooklynn Limos – Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Nikolas Gannon – Unsplash