The ongoing situation in Gaza has captured the attention of everyone all over the world. For some people, it is a conflict taking place in a land that is far away from them, a place they will probably never visit. For someone else, it could be a cause that hit close to home, rooted in religious beliefs, familial ties or just a strong feeling that fairness matters.
Understanding Gaza today
The Gaza Strip is about 25 miles long and 6 miles wide. A narrow strip of land, it is home to over 2 million Palestinians. To its east and north lies Israel, while Egypt borders it to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea forms its western edge. For decades now, it has been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a struggle over land, identity and self-determination that began many years ago.
Since the year 2007, Gaza has been under a blockade led by Israel, with Egypt’s cooperation, limiting the movement of people as well as goods. This has led to a humanitarian crisis, where people don’t have enough food to eat, and there is a scarcity of clean drinking water as well as medical supplies.
Countless lives have been affected due to the latest surge of violence in Gaza. It began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and Israel’s military responded to the same.
Why The Suffering In Gaza Pulls At Our Hearts
One major reason why people care about Gaza is the sheer scale of human suffering. It is impossible to ignore the numbers. Thousands of people have lost their lives in Gaza since October 2023. Countless people have also been injured and displaced. When we see children without homes or parents who are waiting for news about loved ones, it stirs something deep. Many people feel like they have to speak up when they witness something wrong happening, especially when Civilians have to bear the brunt of a conflict they did not start. This concern isn’t new.
Humanitarian crises often grab people’s attention, think of the support after the Haiti earthquake in 2010 or the Syrian refugee crisis a few years later. We can’t look away from the suffering in Gaza because it never ends; it is a cycle of pain that continues. It is recognizing a common truth: every human being needs to have their basic needs met. No one should live without food and safety. Some people may wonder how it is fair that one group has to suffer more than another. This empathy isn’t just something we feel. It pushes people to protest, donate and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
Why is it personal?
There are many people whose families hail from the Middle East, including Palestinian-Americans and Arab-Americans. So, for Palestinian families who are based in the United States, the conflict hits close to home. They may have loved ones who are still living in Gaza, or their older family members may have shared stories of displacement from 1948 with them, when thousands of people were forced out when Israel was created. This event is referred to by the Palestinians as the ‘Nakba’ or ‘catastrophe.’ So even if they live far away, these ties make the pain they feel for Gaza personal.
Some people have spiritual and religious reasons for supporting Gaza. They want to help those who are suffering or may want peace. As mentioned earlier, some people also have cultural ties to Gaza, due to which they feel a sense of belonging. These ties that people have to the region, despite it being miles away from them, make the conflict there seem so much personal.
Media & social media
News organizations, people in Gaza and NGOs working on the ground in Gaza to help those in need also take to social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X and more to share raw, real-time updates with the world. The images and videos that are shared online stick with us, making it impossible for us to ignore the suffering those in Gaza are going through. For younger Americans, especially, who get more news from TikTok than TV, these constant news updates create a sense of urgency, of doing their bit to help right now. It also makes them feel upset about the situation there when they think about it.
Traditional media like news channels, independent journalists and newspapers also do their bit to spread information about the crisis there. All this is a constant reminder to people about the challenges that the people of Gaza are facing, which encourages people to learn more, share stories and even do their bit to help, whether it is by supporting fundraisers and NGOs that are helping those affected or in any other way they can. Also, since people are getting information and updates constantly from different sources, it cannot be easily ignored.
How Gaza ties to the world and impacts lives
The conflict in Gaza touches many countries through history, trade, as well as shared humanity. NGOs and humanitarian groups are working on the ground in Gaza to help those affected by the crisis. They are providing food, clean drinking water and medicines to people, thanks to the donations of kind-hearted people who are supporting their work by donating to fundraisers online. This has proven how interconnected we all are. When people are facing challenges, there is help that is given, and other people come together to support those who are vulnerable.
The conflict also leads to dialogue. People talk about it at home, in class, and even online. These discussions help people come together through local fundraisers and in other ways. On college campuses, students carry out events or activities to show how much the issue matters to them. It has also fostered solidarity. Interfaith efforts and neighbors have come together to help those affected in many ways. It has economic consequences too. Conflict in the Middle East can hamper trade, which has led to the prices of things like fuel and goods increasing. It is a reminder for all of us that global events affect all of us. Some people also fear that stability and peace could be lost. They worry that if unrest spreads, it could change the world in unpredictable ways.
Why is it important for you to care?
Caring about the situation in Gaza encourages people to think about what they value. It is about thinking about how much they care, despite the crisis happening miles away from them. For some people, it encourages them to take action and help. This can be done in many ways – people donate monetarily to support NGOs that work on the ground to help those affected, some people choose to volunteer and offer their skills. This could mean that they offer their expertise. A good example of this would be teachers teaching children who are affected by the crisis online, doctors who are giving advice through telehealth programs or even artists holding events and creating art, through which funds are raised to help those affected in Gaza.
Crowdfunding platforms have also made it easier for people to help those affected, no matter where they are, through online donations. The funds raised are used by humanitarian organizations and NGOs to provide life-saving supplies like food, water and medicines to those affected in Gaza. The NGOs that are raising funds online are vetted and verified, so donors can rest assured that their funds are being used for the intended purpose and help is reaching those in need. This is a simple way for someone to help as it lets them contribute in a way that is convenient for them, no matter how big the issue.
Conclusion
The crisis in Gaza continues to touch people all over the world, making them think about what connects all of us. Organizations on the ground are doing their best to provide life-saving aid to those affected, but such a large group of people need help, and they can only do so much. The challenges are still there. There is a scarcity of food, water and medicines, but it also reminds us that we have the power to make a difference and do our bit to help.
It is a belief that everyone deserves a chance at a better life, which encourages people to do their bit and help, whether it is through monetary donations, volunteering their time, offering their skills and more. This further proves the fact that even if people are located miles away, the distance doesn’t diminish their kindness. Platforms like equalall make it easy for people to support humanitarian organizations and NGOs that are working relentlessly to help the vulnerable in Gaza through online donations. Head to the platform today to support NGOs like these and give the people of Gaza a chance at a better future. Your kindness and donations have the power to make a positive difference.