On the fringes of wars, corruption spreads through societies, vice becomes prevalent, and the unruly take control of the social and economic structures. Thuggery emerges as the dominant way of life for large segments of people desperately competing for food, survival, and opportunities.
During the height of World War II, as bombs rained down on London and other British cities, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill would begin his meetings by inquiring about the legal state of the nation and the soundness of its procedures. If reassured, the meeting would proceed to other topics; otherwise, any identified legal deficiencies were given priority over battlefronts and military affairs.
This example of Churchill's behavior underscores the critical importance of maintaining a cohesive and lawful internal front. Without regulatory laws and their enforcement, societies are vulnerable to fragmentation. It is a well-understood principle that, during intense conflicts, adversaries often target their opponents' internal fronts through violent means—such as attacking food, water, and energy supplies—or psychological warfare, including spreading rumors and scientifically crafted political jokes. Such strategies aim to destabilize societies from within, leading to chaos that can prove far more destructive than bullets and bombs on external battlefields.
The Palestinian Experience: Resilience Amid Adversity
A century of conflict between Palestinians and Israelis has often unfolded without the presence of a governing authority, especially before the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994. Despite this, Palestinians have historically developed alternative systems rooted in their traditions and ethics to preserve familial and communal cohesion.
During the 1948 Nakba, amidst displacement and devastation, Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza established schools, relief committees, and makeshift shelters. Affluent families extended aid to refugees, often organizing their efforts semi-systematically through national entities, municipal councils, political factions, and local leaders. While these initiatives were not always perfect, they met the basic needs of the majority and helped maintain social cohesion.
After the Palestinian Authority was established, significant challenges continued. For instance, during the Second Intifada (2000–2005), the Authority's ministries and directorates bore the brunt of managing relief efforts under intense military pressure. To counter Israeli efforts to dismantle the Palestinian national project, the Authority formed popular committees to support ministry work on the ground. These committees proved highly effective, especially as Israeli forces targeted government buildings and disrupted police and civilian services.
The Current Gaza War: A New Level of Destruction
The ongoing war in Gaza, now exceeding a year, represents an unprecedented level of devastation. Following Hamas' attack on October 7, characterized by killings, destruction, and hostage-taking, Israel retaliated by cutting off water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine. It closed all border crossings and bombed the Rafah crossing, signaling a total war aimed at eradicating Hamas both militarily and politically. The relentless assault has led to mass displacement, with some families uprooted for the tenth time, enduring indescribable suffering only partially captured by the media.
Daily reports highlight chaos and lawlessness in Gaza, including armed looting of international aid. For instance, out of 150 humanitarian aid trucks, 109 were reportedly stolen, and goods marked "Not for Sale" are sold in markets at exorbitant prices. This tragic reality demands a deeper analysis of the root causes:
Destruction of Civil Governance: Israeli forces have systematically destroyed Hamas' civil infrastructure, targeting hospitals, universities, schools, and municipal buildings under the pretext of housing Hamas operatives. This has left Gaza devoid of functional civil governance.
Obstruction of International Aid: Israel has severely restricted the operations of international organizations like UNRWA, accusing them of harboring Hamas members. Schools, offices, and vehicles of such organizations have become direct targets.
Mismanagement of Aid by Hamas: Hamas has exacerbated the crisis by distributing aid preferentially to its members and supporters, fueling distrust and driving desperate families to take what they can by force.
Economic Exploitation: Hamas imposes heavy taxes on goods entering Gaza, forcing merchants to inflate prices, which then cascade through the supply chain. The group also allegedly profits by reselling stolen aid.
Stifling Community Initiatives: Hamas has blocked efforts to form local committees to manage daily affairs, prioritizing its control over governance, even at the expense of societal stability.
Obstruction of Negotiations: Efforts in Cairo to establish a central body for managing Gaza's daily affairs have stalled due to Hamas’ numerous conditions and objections, reflecting its determination to retain exclusive control.
A Society in Moral Decline
The ethical and educated segments of Gazan society have largely withdrawn from the scene, leaving a vacuum filled by opportunists and aggressors. As long as these moral forces remain sidelined, meaningful change is unlikely. Chaos will persist, worsening conditions for everyone. Both Israel and Hamas bear responsibility for this catastrophic state of affairs, with the people of Gaza paying the heaviest price.
This grim reality underscores the urgent need for a unified and ethical approach to restore order, uphold human dignity, and rebuild a shattered society.
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