Who’ Is Truly Responsible for the Gaza Hospital Attack?
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Introduction on what happened

In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East, a devastating event occurred that reverberated across the region and instigated emergency consultations among global leaders. On a day fraught with expectation, mere hours before a high-profile diplomatic mission was set to begin (with the US president on an official visit to Israel), an explosion of horrific magnitude occurred at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. This tragic incident unfolded around 7:30 pm and led to the loss of at least 500 lives, marking it as the deadliest event since hostilities between Hamas and Israel reignited on October 7.

The immediate aftermath of the explosion was marked by confusion, as the fog of war cast a shadow over the events. Both Israeli and Palestinian authorities were quick to deny responsibility, creating a backdrop of uncertainty and conflicting narratives. Additionally, the information landscape was clouded by a proliferation of online disinformation, further muddying the waters of truth.

Who is responsible for the attack?

In the shadow of the calamity that befell the Gaza hospital, a flurry of accusing fingers emerges, hastily pointing at Israel or Hamas. But lo and behold, such simplicity is but an illusion, masking a far-reaching guilt that extends not only to these entities but also envelops all souls across this celestial sphere—be they Arab, Jewish, or Christian; be they from large or small nations; or be they part of powerful international organizations. Truly, we are entangled in a collective moral failing, a neglect of sacred duty that transcends both borders and epochs. For centuries, the conflict between Israeli and Palestinian souls has festered, and we, the global communion, have turned a blind eye, relegating it to a mere footnote in the annals of human concerns. This is a grave sin, for we are the custodians of a land hallowed to myriad souls: the Holy Land. Neglecting its sanctity obliges us to bear the weight of guilt for all lives lost, whether in Gaza or Israel. The act of launching a missile or detonating an improvised explosive device is but the most recent ripple in an ocean of collective failings, originating from the depths of our collective conscience. This is not a time for the hollow rhetoric of worldly politicians who evade responsibility; it is a season for soulful introspection. Having chosen leaders devoid of divine wisdom to navigate this fragile world, we must solemnly acknowledge our collective transgressions. Upon this foundation, let us embark on a righteous path that may fling wide the gates to an era of global peace.

Sacred Neglect

As believers, we must recognize that we bear collective guilt toward the Holy Land.

The recognition of our shared responsibility and our collective abandonment of the Holy Land are closely related and serve as the backdrop for tragic events such as the Gaza hospital attack. Such catastrophes are not isolated incidents, but rather the end result of broader systemic and cultural failures that pervade our shared moral and spiritual life. Although it is easy to place the blame on those who directly enact violence, we must not overlook the communal atmosphere that enables such tragedies, an atmosphere fueled by longstanding indifference, intolerance and inaction. Every single error of judgment, whether it is support for a reckless leader or failure to speak up for justice and peace, contributes to collective guilt. This guilt can only be mitigated through sincere recognition and meaningful change.

Similarly, the Holy Land, is a prime example of our common moral and spiritual shortcomings. Despite international reverence for the sanctity of this common homeland, there is a glaring failure to maintain peace and justice. Every diplomatic misstep, every lackluster resolution, and every ignored violation of human rights piles up as an indictment against us all. We are not mere observers of this continuous cycle of conflict and desecration, but active participants. Neglecting the sacredness of this area makes us responsible for every life lost, every tear shed and every dream shattered.

Conclusion: Beyond Blame

The propensity to distribute blame offers fleeting comfort, a transient absolution from the gravity of our collective moral duties, but it remains an empty gesture that fails to produce reparation at all (tikkun Olam). Indeed, we are quick to judge, but we forget our long neglect of many of our brothers and sisters. We have too often forgotten about the very many refugees living in inhumane conditions in Palestine, yearning for some semblance of a decent life. Likewise, we have not cared for the young Israelis bound by compulsory military service, those who would rather invest those years in cultivating peace than preparing for war. These, like so many of our other negligences, are but manifestations of a larger spiritual malaise that afflicts all. We have abdicated our sacred responsibility to keep the peace in the land where GOD has proclaimed, “My eyes and my heart will always be there.

There is no point in finding the guilty party and engaging in “gossip”; instead, it is incumbent to move beyond blame to embrace universal and shared responsibility. Let us reflect on our mistakes and pray for the victims, their families, the injured, and the children who suffer. We implore the strength to become better people, actively engaged in peacebuilding and the cultivo of a more compassionate and just world. This earnest commitment to the revered efforts of reconciliation, justice, and peacemaking is the key to a future of lasting peace and to redeeming our Holy Land from its involvement in unremitting conflict.

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