On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in response to its blockade of Gaza. The attack targeted Israel due to its occupation of Palestinian land, the desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque, and other alleged crimes. The attack left hundreds of Israeli citizens dead and over 1,500 injured while Hamas took several hundred citizens hostage. This led Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce a war on Hamas. Israeli tactics to rid the strip of Hamas has greatly affected the civilians of Gaza. Many spectators and protesters of the war have claimed that the efforts of Netanyahu and the Israeli military have led to an ethnic cleansing.
Now, more than a year later, devastation in the Gaza Strip has amassed tenfold.
One year later
There were upwards of 17,000 Palestinians dead from the mass destruction and violence in Gaza this time last year. The death toll passed 40,000 in mid-August this year, according to AP News, with many of the lives claimed having been women and children (CNN). Millions more have been left homeless and on the brink of starvation.
Palestinians have been forced across the Gaza strip for the past year. They have been told they must move south of the strip, now west, throughout their year of displacement. The destruction has also left them with no homes, little to no food and hardly any running water.
Destruction has also since resumed in neighboring Lebanon, where many Palestinans had gone in search of refuge. On Sep. 23, 2024, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched air strikes in Lebanon to target Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militant group. According to CNN, it marked the deadliest day of Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the 2006 war. Missiles hit multiple parts of the country, mainly near Lebanon’s border with Syria and where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
Media coverage
Since 2023, media outlets outside the U.S. have released most of the content coming out of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian journalists, both professionals and those newly assuming the title, are also reporting directly from the heart of the devastation.
Many young adults on social media have taken it upon themselves to stay informed. They are also working to keep others updated on the current realities faced by the Palestinian people. Nelly Carbonell Nieves, ‘25, expressed her reasons behind sharing this kind of content on her own social media pages.
“I actively share reliable news sources because major media outlets largely ignore reports on women deprived of basic hygiene care, children killed in bombings and civilians offered “safe” refuge, only to be attacked upon arrival. Western media appears skilled at highlighting any form of Palestinian resistance or Hamas statements, yet that focus vanishes the moment an innocent life is lost in bombings that devastate entire communities. I believe in fair, comprehensive coverage,” said Carbonell Nieves.
Carbonell Nieves recognizes that though she doesn’t have a mass social following, she is still making a difference. For her, it’s more important to inform her inner circle though doing her part to share what she cares about.
“I care deeply about the situation in Gaza, as my values compel me to reject framing Israel’s actions as ‘self-defense.’ Even if only a few of my followers engage with my posts, knowing that they’re informed means I’m making a difference. I hope for a day when families suffering from lack of sleep, food, or water can finally find peace. Until then, I will continue to share and raise awareness, regardless of how my posts are received, because everyone deserves to know the full story until change is realized,” said Carbonell Nieves.
Impacts on the U.S. election
For many, the ongoing genocide in Gaza was a big factor going into the 2024 U.S. presidential election. A candidate’s plans or current actions towards aiding Palestine or Israel impacted how Americans chose to vote.
Many voters across the U.S. chose to vote for Jill Stein of the Green Party, for her Pro-Palestine policies. Many Muslim Americans couldn’t rationalize voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, deeming her complicit in genocide during her VP term. Rania Masri, a liberal organizer in North Carolina, told Democrats to vote for now president-elect Donald Trump over Harris, as reported by The Telegraph.
Many of said voters claimed Harris was the worst candidate for their cause. Carbonell Nieves shared her thoughts on the matter.
“It’s understandable to feel anger toward Harris, especially as vice president under Joe Biden, who has been complicit in actions related to the crisis in Gaza. It’s not entirely fair to label Harris the worst candidate without acknowledging Trump’s deeply insensitive comments on the conflict, which have significantly favored Israel’s actions,” said Carbonell Nieves.
And for those who felt that a vote for Stein was a wasted vote, Carbonell Nieves offers some perspective.
“We all have a right to vote for whoever we want, it is our given right as American citizens. As supporters of a candidate who wanted to spread love and equality through her campaign, I do not find it valid to be angry at Palestinian-Americans for voting for someone else. They had a right to vote for whoever they felt aligned with their morals, and beliefs better, and if it wasn’t Harris, then we have to respect and accept their choices and move on. Dwelling on someone’s vote, and being angry towards them about it, will not bring us any closer to change.”
