The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has sparked global outrage, protests, and countless debates. But at the heart of it all lies a fundamental question: should history be used as a justification for violence today?
No matter what happened in 1948, no matter what events led to the formation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians, that was then. History, while important for understanding our world, does not belong to anyone. No group or nation has ownership of history, and it cannot forever serve as a justification for bloodshed and suffering.
What matters now is the present. Today, we are witnessing devastating consequences in Gaza, loss of life, destruction, and a growing humanitarian crisis. But what sparked this recent escalation? Hamas' attack on Israel, including the abduction of both Israeli citizens and some foreign nationals. Currently, Israel is responding, and it is important to understand why.
Israel’s position is clear: release the remaining 50 hostages, and the war can stop. It is not a demand for land or power, it is a plea for the safe return of innocent people. If Hamas truly cares about the Palestinian people, as they claim, then the path to ending this suffering is simple. Let the hostages go. Choose peace over prolonged conflict.
In Africa, we've been through colonization and slavery, but we are not using those past wrongs to wage war today. Americans come to Africa, British citizens visit and live here, and we also travel to their countries. We live in the present. We interact, we trade, we build relationships—not based on what happened a century ago, but on the realities of today. This is how the world should function.
Hamas does not have to cling to 1948 as a reason to inflict violence on Israel. The way forward is not through bombs and bullets, but through meaningful action that spares lives. If Hamas truly values the lives of Palestinians, it shouldn’t take more than a day to make the decision to release the 50 hostages. The war, the bombings, the suffering in Gaza, all of it can be stopped.
Moreover, let’s think critically: if Israel stops now and abandons the search for their people, which country will step in to rescue them? Would the international community do so? Would Israel sit idly by and watch someone else fight for their kidnapped citizens? Of course not. Every nation has the right and duty to protect its people.
And what about after the war? If the hostages are not released, how will Israel get them back? Are their lives not important? Do they not deserve to return to their families? These are questions we must all consider, beyond political sides or historical grievances.
In conclusion, the burden to end this war lies on Hamas. If the group truly prioritizes Palestinian welfare, it must choose peace and release the hostages. Only then can we talk about rebuilding, reconciliation, and real justice, not through the lens of 1948, but through the reality of today.
Let us think wisely. Let us choose life over history, and peace over pride.
Mantse Ayitey
