Let Their People GO

It must be said: The international community, along with Egypt and Hamas, are the ones caging  two million Palestinians  inside a dangerous war zone in an area that is nearly completely destroyed and has minimal infrastructure. While millions of Ukrainian refugees were welcomed into European countries following the Russian invasion, only a handful of Palestinians have been permitted to cross into Egypt. Hamas is keen on a humanitarian crisis and does not want Palestinians to leave, while Egypt fears that refugees entering its territory might never return to Gaza, thus it only fortifies its borders. The international community, meanwhile, views this issue more as a political one than a humanitarian crisis.

The heart-wrenching images of Palestinians struggling in the muddy and rainy Gaza reveal a grim reality. The mass movement of elderly people, women, and children, transporting only essential items, is deeply distressing. This is how many Israelis feel, despite acknowledging that it was Hamas who initiated the war, and despite the widespread sympathy among the Palestinian populace towards Hamas.

Hamas is a terrorist army with sovereign authority, who bears no self-perception of responsibility toward its people. The October 7th pogrom was meticulously planned by Hamas, fully aware it would lead to an Israeli invasion and result in numerous Palestinian casualties. Hamas's strategy is to leverage the humanitarian crisis it created as a means to win the war. A senior Hamas official stated publicly that the responsibility for protecting Gaza's population lies with the United Nations, while Israel should provide services. Another official expressed the need for the blood of Gaza’s women, children, and elderly to 'shake-up the situation.' During the war, Hamas of course steals humanitarian aid and fuel for its own needs.

Hamas has embedded its terrorist infrastructure among civilians, making it impossible to combat it without inflicting widespread damage and casualties. The international community, likely due to 'racism of low expectations' towards Palestinians, points the finger solely at Israel. Exploiting this, Hamas turned South Africa into a proxy at The Hague.

Yet, why is there no international demand for Egypt to open its borders amidst this humanitarian crisis? The global community perceives the issue of Palestinian displacement as political, not humanitarian. The international community puts Israel for a genocide trial in The Hague for a war it did not initiate, which was planned to end up in a humanitarian crisis, yet it does not pursue with the most humane action — urging Egypt to temporarily shelter Palestinian refugees. 

Leading actors in the International community could provide guarantees for Egypt that refugees will return to Gaza once stability is restored. Such evacuation should be voluntary, with those staying in Gaza understanding the limited service availability due to ongoing conflict. If Egypt refuses, other nations, despite logistical challenges, could serve as temporary host countries.

The situation is further complicated by Israel. The recent 'transfer conference' and other irresponsible statements by Israeli politicians in regards to the future of Gaza, help frame the Palestinian displacement as a political issue. Israel needs leadership to initiate a humanitarian effort, which will primarily save lives, but also facilitate military operations. Although Israel is engaged in an existential war and cannot cease fighting, it can urge the international community to assist in resolving Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Instead of surrendering to the manipulation of Hamas and South Africa in the Hague, the international community could play a constructive role.