War, with all its calamities, often leaves in its wake not just broken structures but also shattered lives. Since the fateful day of October 7, 2023, in the conflict-ridden territory of Gaza, the cost of this ongoing tragedy has amplified beyond measure. The Government Media Office in Gaza has revealed some stark and heart-rending statistics: over 1,513 humanitarian workers have met a tragic end, while an unfathomable number of medical and civil service facilities have been obliterated.

These statistics are more than mere numbers; they reverberate with the stories of each life lost. To put it in context, 1,402 of these noble martyrs came from the medical field. Additionally, 111 members of the Civil Defense team sacrificed themselves, bringing the total to that staggering number. As we absorb these figures, a haunting question emerges: What motivates such unfathomable sacrifice?

It is the narrative of courage that stands out. Gaza’s humanitarian workers face unrelenting dangers every single day. An example of their bravery transpired in Rafah, southern Gaza, where an assault tragically claimed the lives of eight Palestine Red Crescent workers, five Civil Defense personnel, and an individual serving with a UN agency. This incident underscored the peril that these heroes embrace as they strive to save lives and deliver critical aid.

Could we imagine the courage it takes to step into such treacherous terrain daily? Only deep conviction could drive someone to constantly risk their life. On a somber Sunday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society shared the grim news of having recovered 14 bodies post the onslaught. The world mourned.

Further igniting global attention, the Palestinian Civil Defense later discovered another fallen comrade, elevating the death toll from this assault to 15. These circumstances evoke a range of emotions from outrage to profound grief, further complicated by the complex geopolitical backdrop.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, shared his indignation on social media via X, remarking, “The losses in Gaza are devastating, with the deaths of two additional @UNRWA colleagues and eight Palestinian Red Crescent aids & first responders—this heightens the toll on aid workers killed to 408, among them more than 280 UNRWA staff since the conflict’s onset 1.5 years ago.” Such an atrocity, as Lazzarini notes, signifies a blatant violation of international law, demanding accountability.

Indeed, the Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor went a step further by labeling the catastrophe as “the largest mass execution of humanitarian workers in the history of modern warfare.” Tragic, isn’t it? Yet, what remains is a united call for justice.

Israel’s military action against Gaza surged unexpectedly on March 18, effectively fracturing a fragile ceasefire and derailing a prisoner exchange agreement with the Palestinian faction Hamas. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and left countless others wounded, amplifying the humanitarian crisis.

The devastation encountered by the Gaza inhabitants stirs a deeply unsettling feeling. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation began, primarily affecting women and children. Can the world afford to watch in silence?

With the International Criminal Court stepping in last November by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the pursuit of legal justice aims at their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, Israel faces a significant genocide allegation at the International Court of Justice, further intensifying the global discourse.