ISRAEL'S SCORCHED earth policy in Gaza has left the world scouring for terms that capture the horror at the barbarism they are witnessing. Humanitarian organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appear to have struggled with their statements of condemnation as the relentless bombing of the small strip of land, which is home to 2.2 million Palestinians, left searing images of the dead and dying in a devastated landscape. Even academics were hard put to describe the holocaust unleashed by the Israeli government; some settled for genocide, as did the Colombian President.
An MSF official described as outrageous Israel's 24-hour notice to over one million people in Northern Gaza to leave their land, homes and hospitals. "Unprecedented" does not even cover the medical humanitarian impact of this order, the official said. ICRC described the situation in Gaza as "abhorrent" as residents scrambled for water and food while health facilities and medical personnel were targeted in the bombing of the world's most densely populated area.
A statement issued by Gaza's authorities after the Tel Aviv regime began a complete siege of Gaza in response to the Hamas attack described the action as "the dirtiest crime of collective punishment against defenceless civilians in modern history". Since half the population of Gaza are children, it did capture the true horror of the bombing. Al Jazeera news agency quoted an Israeli official saying it had dropped 6,000 bombs weighing 4,000 tonnes on Gaza in the first six days of its war, killing vast numbers of children.
The vocabulary of outrage indignation is patently limited for a catastrophe on this scale. Responses also depend on a nation's and an individual's moral compass and political ideology. Sensitivities can be sharpened by a familiarity with a situation.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.