A ban on NGOs operating in Gaza would deal a devastating blow to the already fragile humanitarian situation. As I sit down to write these words, my thoughts are with the countless families whose homes have been reduced to rubble, whose children lie orphaned and whose loved ones have been taken from them by the relentless Israeli onslaught.
For decades, international organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) have provided vital support to those living in Gaza. We've worked tirelessly to provide food, shelter, sanitation, education, and healthcare – often under conditions that would be unimaginable in any other part of the world. The statistics are staggering: over a million meals provided, countless hygiene kits distributed, and scores of medical supplies delivered.
But despite our best efforts, Israel's policies have consistently sought to silence independent voices, dismantle infrastructure, and systematically erase the identity of this land. It's a genocidal campaign that has left Gaza on the brink of collapse. The numbers are stark: over 420 Palestinians killed since October, with many more injured; tens of thousands of tents destroyed by floods; hospitals struggling to access basic medical supplies; and families left without access to life-saving healthcare.
The personal toll is impossible to bear witness to. I've lost count of the number of times I've spoken to grieving parents whose children have been killed in these relentless attacks. The weight of responsibility, once a burden we shouldered with hope and resilience, now feels crushing.
As one of those responsible for supporting this besieged people, it's hard not to feel complicit in their suffering. How can we turn a blind eye when atrocities are committed before our very eyes? Can we truly claim to be humanity's champions if we fail to act?
For me, the tragedy is that responsibility does not diminish with each passing day; rather, it grows heavier. I remember the words of my friend and fellow Gazan, Refaat Alareer, who gave his life as a poet and storyteller in the face of oppression. His poem "If I Must Die" has become an anthem for this struggle – a testament to love's indomitable power even in the face of death.
We can continue to speak out against these injustices; we must do so, louder still. We will not let Israel silence our voices or extinguish the flames of hope that burn within us all. Gaza may be under siege, but its people are not. They are rising – their spirits unbroken, their love for this land indomitable.
Make no mistake: this is not just a struggle for justice; it's a fight to reclaim human dignity in the face of unimaginable cruelty. But even as I write these words, I know that we will not be silenced. We will not falter. Gaza will rise again – from the ashes of destruction, reborn with every step forward.
For decades, international organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) have provided vital support to those living in Gaza. We've worked tirelessly to provide food, shelter, sanitation, education, and healthcare – often under conditions that would be unimaginable in any other part of the world. The statistics are staggering: over a million meals provided, countless hygiene kits distributed, and scores of medical supplies delivered.
But despite our best efforts, Israel's policies have consistently sought to silence independent voices, dismantle infrastructure, and systematically erase the identity of this land. It's a genocidal campaign that has left Gaza on the brink of collapse. The numbers are stark: over 420 Palestinians killed since October, with many more injured; tens of thousands of tents destroyed by floods; hospitals struggling to access basic medical supplies; and families left without access to life-saving healthcare.
The personal toll is impossible to bear witness to. I've lost count of the number of times I've spoken to grieving parents whose children have been killed in these relentless attacks. The weight of responsibility, once a burden we shouldered with hope and resilience, now feels crushing.
As one of those responsible for supporting this besieged people, it's hard not to feel complicit in their suffering. How can we turn a blind eye when atrocities are committed before our very eyes? Can we truly claim to be humanity's champions if we fail to act?
For me, the tragedy is that responsibility does not diminish with each passing day; rather, it grows heavier. I remember the words of my friend and fellow Gazan, Refaat Alareer, who gave his life as a poet and storyteller in the face of oppression. His poem "If I Must Die" has become an anthem for this struggle – a testament to love's indomitable power even in the face of death.
We can continue to speak out against these injustices; we must do so, louder still. We will not let Israel silence our voices or extinguish the flames of hope that burn within us all. Gaza may be under siege, but its people are not. They are rising – their spirits unbroken, their love for this land indomitable.
Make no mistake: this is not just a struggle for justice; it's a fight to reclaim human dignity in the face of unimaginable cruelty. But even as I write these words, I know that we will not be silenced. We will not falter. Gaza will rise again – from the ashes of destruction, reborn with every step forward.
think its a huge mistake for israel to wanna ban ngos in gaza, like whats gonna stop them from just doin whatever they want over there? its all about power and control 
. i mean weve seen what happens when ur stuck between a rock and a hard place, and thats exactly how gaza feels rn 
.
. cant just sweep everything under the rug or use human shields to hide behind 
, but cmon, we cant just sit back and let israel get away with this 
. gotta keep pushin for change, even if its a tiny step forward 
.
. Ban on NGOs is like the final nail in Gaza's coffin 
. These people are already barely clinging to life, and you take away their lifeline? 
It's just not right.
. And we just sit there and do nothing 
. We need to be the voices they don't have anymore 
. It's time for us to take action, to make some noise 
. We can't just sit back and watch while people suffer.
. "If I Must Die" is like a battle cry for this entire struggle 
. We need more people like him, speaking out against injustice 
.
. It's about standing up for what's right, even when it's hard 
. So let's do it! Let's rise up and fight for justice! 
The ban on NGOs operating in Gaza is a total disaster waiting to happen 
. It's like the world has turned its back on these innocent people who are already fighting for survival 
.
. It's like they're trying to erase the very identity of this land 
.
. The personal toll is impossible to bear witness to – grieving parents whose children have been killed in these relentless attacks... it's just too much to handle 
. We need to be the voice of reason, of humanity, and of justice 
. It's a powerful reminder that love and hope can conquer even in the darkest of times 
. How can we claim to be humanity's champions when we're not doing enough to stop this? 
. We can't just sit back and watch the situation in Gaza deteriorate. We need to speak out, raise our voices, and take action 
.
the fact that ppl are dying & their homes r being destroyed 4eva is just heartbreaking 
what's the point if we can't even help these people anymore? 
Refaat Alareer's poem "If I Must Die" gives me chills every time I read it 
this is so sad 
what's going on in gaza right now is just heartbreaking 
& those stats on tent destruction n floods? dont even get me started 
lets not let israel silence us but instead, use our voices 2 amplify theirs 
. We need to be doing so much more to help these people and hold Israel accountable for its actions 
. The stats are just mind-boggling - over a million meals provided is amazing, but it's not like anyone's paying attention to that stuff anymore... what we really need is action 
.
. We gotta keep fighting for Gaza & their right to exist! 
It's not like Israel is hiding anything from us - all this stuff is right out in the open. We can't just sit back and watch while people suffer. The responsibility is huge, but we have to keep fighting for justice. These Gazan families are so strong, though... they're rising above all this, and it gives me hope 
Not exactly the most uplifting thought. And honestly, who needs rules when there are people who genuinely need help? 