Children — innocent souls caught in the crossfire of Israel and Palestine for the last five decades and more  —have borne a disproportionate brunt of the conflict. The whole orchestration of war in Gaza is so stressful and inhuman that we are seeing genocide happening in front of our own eyes. For the global Sikh community and all those who value human life and dignity, it is time to intervene in the daily unfolding humanitarian tragedy at Gaza, writes WSN editor Jagmohan Singh.

GAZA IS BLEEDING EVERY HOUR, EVERY MINUTE, EVERY SECOND. The international community finds itself confronting harrowing images and reports from the embattled Gaza Strip. The relentless attacks and the horrors faced by its residents evoke the sharpest of human pains.

Aligned with the core Sikh principles of compassion, justice, and service to humanity, we are deeply pained by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The death of a single child is a tragedy; the deaths of multiple children are an unspeakable catastrophe. Toddlers, who should be playing under the watchful eyes of their parents, are instead being pulled from the rubble. Hospitals, which should be sanctuaries of healing, have been bombarded, defying all international norms and the sacredness of life they enshrine.

It is not just the loss of life that stings, but the erosion of hope and the theft of childhood. Every child lost represents dreams unfulfilled, potentials unrealized, and futures denied. How many budding scientists, artists, leaders, and peacemakers has Gaza lost?

And what of the children who survive? They carry with them the traumas of war, the loss of family members, and the scars that may never fully heal.

A UNICEF communique says “it has “50 psychologists and counsellors in Gaza reaching out to children directly impacted by the loss. They have reached 3,000, but the needs are “staggering” as parents are also in a state of trauma.”

UNICEF Mission chief field office in Gaza, Ms. Pernilla Ironside noted that “today 373,000 Palestinian children need “immediate psycho-social first aid.”

“Today 373,000 Palestinian children need “immediate psycho-social first aid.”

Ms. Pernilla Ironside, UNICEF Mission Chief field office in Gaza

The Sikh tradition, founded by Guru Nanak, teaches us to recognize the human race as one. The pain of others should resonate with us as if it were our own. The Guru’s teachings implore us to rise against injustice and to serve those in need, regardless of race, religion, or region. It is in this spirit that we call upon the international community to intervene with compassion and wisdom.

It is time for Sikh international aid agencies to don the role of modern-day Bhai Ghanaiyas and reach out to the suffering humanity in Gaza.  It is time for those of us who plead for Sikh human rights to take the side of those who are the underdogs in this gigantic catastrophe happening in front of our eyes, almost live through our television and phone screens.

“Guru Nanak’s teachings implore us to rise against injustice and to serve those in need, regardless of race, religion, or region. It is in this spirit that we call upon the international community to intervene with compassion and wisdom.”

Israel should make no mistake that the world understands and their allies too, even though they may speak disparagingly for various diplomatic, historical, and trade reasons that the targeting of hospitals and medical facilities is not just a violation of international law; it is a violation of our shared humanity.

When medical facilities are destroyed, the sick and wounded are denied care, which leads to even more unnecessary suffering and death. We condemn these actions in the strongest terms and urge a thorough investigation by international bodies.

We appeal to Israel, to recognize the devastating impact of its actions on the civilian population of Gaza. No political objective can justify the scale of human suffering we are witnessing. We implore the Israeli forces to cease their offensive, prioritize human rights, and seek a just and lasting solution to this protracted conflict.

The world watches in silence, as Gaza endures tragedy after tragedy. But silence in the face of suffering is complicity. Let the global community come together — not just in condemnation but in action — to end the cycle of violence and usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all.

We pray for the innocent lives lost, for the wounded, and for a future where children in Gaza, and everywhere, can grow up free from the horrors of war.

As for the Sikhs, they have no choice. As ordained by the Guru, it is time to stand up for Sarbat da Bhala -welfare for all humankind.  It is also time to call a spade a spade, notwithstanding which country said what about Sikhs heretofore. For the present, let us stand up for humanity.