Politics Over People: A Youth Perspective from Gaza

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition the British Mandate of Palestine into two states — one Arab and the other Jewish. This formal division was intended to de-escalate violence between the Jewish and Arab communities — since the British were no longer able to remain in control of the situation. This meant Jerusalem would operate under international administration, and on November 29, 1947 the Jewish Agency for Palestine — representing Jewish leadership — accepted the plan almost immediately. While the proposal was popular due to its alignment with larger Israeli ambitions, Arab leaders and governments disfavored the plan, rejecting it outright. They claimed that the dissection cited unfair territorial division and violated the Arab majority’s rights. On May 14, 1948 the nation of Israel declared independence, instigating attacks from five Arab states the next day (Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria), initiating the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Then, in 1949, Israel gained additional territory beyond the UN plan, after which Jordan gained control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while Egypt controlled the Gaza strip. Consequently, around 700,000 Palestinians either fled or were expelled from their homes during this time. At this point, no Palestinian state was established, and the national identity and movement started to take shape largely in response to these events.

In 1967, Israel was able to capture and maintain control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem — in addition to the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. Since then, the nation of Israel has maintained control over these regions. Despite a blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel and Egypt, Hamas ended up taking control in 2007. Hamas is a designated terrorist organization recognized by the U.S., EU, Israel and others. Notably known for their orchestration of the October 7, 2023 attacks, the incident marked the deadliest single day for Jews since the occurrence of the Holocaust. Over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were involved and/or killed in shootings, rocket fire, and cross-border raids with hundreds of women, children, and foreign nationals taken hostage. This action prompted Israeli retaliation shortly after. A state of war was declared and a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza was launched, targeting Hamas leadership, weapons facilities, and tunnels through airstrikes and ground invasion. The Israeli government stated its objective was to eliminate Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, but with heavy urban fighting in northern and later southern Gaza (including Rafah and more populated areas) massive civilian casualties occurred. Tens of thousands of Palestinian citizens were reported dead along with over a million displaced. Exacerbating the issue, food, water, and medical shortages arose due to damaged blockades and infrastructure. As Hamas continues to operate within civilian areas, Israeli forces do not plan on slowing down. Thus, Israel’s pursuit of eradicating Hamas influence in Gaza continues, with Palestinian civilians forcefully caught in a larger unresolved conflict over land, rights, and national identity.

Unfortunately, Palestinian struggles are not limited to the war itself, but also include topics that are often overshadowed or undiscussed. Global media coverage often fluctuates based on public opinion, geopolitical interests, and viewership. With intentions solely based on fulfilling these avenues,  inconsistent narratives are often absorbed by the public. Furthermore, with restrictions on journalists entering Gaza, Palestinian voices are often incomplete or under-represented.

To understand the full narrative — with all the missing pieces of the puzzle revealed — I connected with 19-year-old Suhayb, a Palestinian civilian who shared his perspective and emphasized the pain of watching his homeland reduced to headlines while his community struggles to survive. His photo is not included in this piece, at his request, out of respect for his privacy. Suhayb’s reflection illustrates a broader reality that is often missed in global discussions. While leaders, journalists, and government officials debate the politics, youth like him are living the consequences of both Hamas and Israel’s actions daily. He is not a politician or soldier, just a young person trying to survive in a place the world has debated on international stages. His voice represents the thousands of people silenced whose stories remain unheard. He opened up, expressed his mixed feelings toward the media, sharing that “Sometimes I feel completely broken seeing how people talk about what’s happening — like it’s just another trend or some political debate. Other times, it gives me hope when I see people standing up for us, sharing the truth, and showing real support.”

At the same time, many Arab and Muslim-majority countries, while vocal in support of the Palestinian cause, have been reluctant to offer lasting refuge or support to displaced Palestinians — often from internal political concerns, demographic pressures, their perceived complexity of the issue, or broader regional initiatives. Certain countries and intergovernmental organizations have also suspended their involvement, with the Middle East Quartet — with membership of the U.S., European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, specifically created in 2002 to sponsor peace negotiations — stagnating their efforts. Despite President Joe Biden’s visit to the region in July 2022, the administration viewed the Palestinian issue with lower priority, being discarded with no mention, leaving an absence of envoys and serious involvement (Lior Lehrs, Middle East Institute). Yet behind the political rhetoric, international agendas, and foreign display there are individuals enduring this conflict in their daily lives — individuals whose lives should not be solely showcased as additions to policy or propaganda.

“I’m Palestinian, — this isn’t just some news article to me, it’s my life.”

— Suhayb, Youth, Palestine

As major news outlets continue to rely on selective reporting, emotional imagery, and targeted narratives to gain viewer engagement, Palestinian suffering persists. Although the conflict is associated with policies, security, and international diplomacy, it is a human story of displacement and survival. When narratives are framed and politicized for viewer engagement, the people most affected are often the least represented. To fully understand Palestinian suffering, the world must center individuals’ voices to reveal what headlines alone frequently miss.

To stand with individuals like Suhayb and others affected by this conflict, we must look beyond headlines and focus on taking action. You can support ongoing humanitarian relief by visiting Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), an organization providing vital healthcare, supplies, and support to Palestinian communities. For more resources and ways to engage, explore the Take Action tab in One of Many’s Resource Hub.