More action is needed globally to stop Israel.

As we mark one year since the outbreak of Israel's devastating war on Gaza, which followed the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the immense humanitarian cost and suffering are staggering. Over the past year, Gaza has endured constant ground invasions and airstrikes that have leveled entire neighborhoods, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displaced millions of residents. Even as of today, reports have surfaced of another deadly airstrike on a mosque and a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, bringing the death toll to 41,870, with more than 97,000 injured. 

What is the goal of all this devastation? Can any objective justify actions that now verge on genocide? Israel continues to insist that its mission in Gaza is to neutralize Hamas, though this narrative is no longer widely accepted. With the support of its Western allies, Israel has expanded its campaign into Lebanon, now citing Hezbollah, backed by Iran, as its target. Yet, it is innocent civilians who bear the brunt of the conflict, often paying with their lives.

The rapidly escalating situation has drawn Syria and Iran into the conflict through proxy forces, with Iran having launched over 180 missiles towards Israel last week. As tensions grow, the possibility of a full-scale regional war in the Middle East seems increasingly likely. Some even fear the onset of World War III, a concern echoed by U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, despite his past support for Israel's war efforts. This highlights the hypocrisy of the U.S. and other Western nations. Their unwavering military and diplomatic support over the past year has emboldened Israel to act with impunity, leading to immense tragedy and destruction.

As a BBC analyst recently pointed out, Israel sees no deterrents unless the U.S. and other major Western governments intervene to change the course of events. With Israel continuing to ignore warnings from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, the responsibility falls squarely on its Western allies to stop this perpetual war. Their inaction has gone on for too long, and their refusal to halt arms supplies feeding Israel's military has only exacerbated the situation. Now, a year into this conflict, they must take decisive steps to force Israel into accepting ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon before more territories are drawn into this senseless conflict and more lives are needlessly lost.