Recent commentary by Professor Halim Rane, visiting from Griffith University, attributes the devastation in Gaza to “substantially high levels of Islamophobia” and calls Gaza a “live-streamed genocide.” While calls for peace and coexistence among the Abrahamic faiths are important, we must be clear-eyed about the realities on the ground and the true causes of this tragedy.
The Facts Behind Gaza’s Tragedy
This war is not about Islamophobia. It did not begin because of prejudice against Muslims. It began because on October 7, 2023, Hamas (a proscribed terrorist organisation) invaded Israel in the most brutal assault in the nation’s history. More than 1,200 people were massacred, including babies, the elderly and entire families. Civilians were burned alive, women were raped, and over 250 hostages were abducted – some of whom remain in captivity. Among the murdered and kidnapped were Jews, Muslim Arabs, Druze and foreign nationals, making it clear that Hamas’s actions were not a response to religious discrimination, but the product of its violent rejectionist ideology.
Since October 8, Israel has been at war not because of who Gazans are, but because of what Hamas did – and continues to do. The IDF’s operations in Gaza are a direct response to that unprecedented terrorist massacre and the ongoing threat Hamas poses to Israeli civilians. The destruction in Gaza is the tragic result of Hamas’s decision to embed itself in civilian areas, use human shields, and prioritise its war against Israel over the safety of its own people. Not due to Islamophobia.
On the Question of Genocide
Genocide is a legally defined crime requiring proven intent to annihilate a people. No credible body has found Israel guilty of such intent or actions. International investigations are ongoing, but even prominent institutions like the International Court of Justice have not labelled the situation a genocide. This term should not be casually applied, as it inflames divisions rather than encouraging constructive solutions.
The Reality of International Response
Prof Rane’s suggestion that the world is “paralysed” overlooks extensive international aid and diplomatic efforts. Billions of dollars in humanitarian aid have been funneled into Gaza, and multiple ceasefire efforts have been brokered. However, much of the international pressure on Israel — particularly demands for unilateral ceasefires without addressing Hamas’s threat — has been misguided. This approach strengthens Hamas by allowing it to regroup, reinforces its refusal to negotiate, and ultimately prolongs the conflict.
The idea that Western governments’ actions or inactions are driven by Islamophobia does not align with the facts. Many Western nations maintain strong relations with Muslim-majority countries and have long supported Muslim communities domestically and abroad. Criticism of Hamas’s actions is criticism of a violent militant group — not a religion.
Respect for All Humanity
True justice requires recognising the humanity and suffering of all victims. The families of Israeli civilians murdered or held hostage by Hamas deserve as much empathy and attention as Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. To selectively highlight one side’s suffering while ignoring the others only deepens enmity and impedes peace.
Conclusion
The destruction in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe that demands global attention and a commitment to peace. But it did not arise from “substantially high levels of Islamophobia” – it arose from Hamas’s decision to massacre, maim, and kidnap civilians on October 7, 2023. Addressing this tragedy means confronting Hamas’s terrorism, rejecting moral equivalences, and working for the security and dignity of both Israelis and Gazans. That is the true covenant – one that respects every person’s right to live in peace and dignity.
