The Guardian view on devastation in Gaza: the world wants to move on, but Palestinians can't | Editorial

The world is still reeling from the devastating consequences of the latest Israeli military operation in Gaza, where over 33 Palestinians, including 12 children, have been killed. The ceasefire declared in October has brought only temporary relief to its inhabitants, who continue to face unimaginable suffering and displacement.

The humanitarian crisis deepens by the day as aid organizations struggle to deliver basic necessities like tents and tarpaulins due to Israel's designation of tent poles as "dual-use" items that could be used for military purposes. Save the Children has reported children sleeping on bare ground, shivering in flooded makeshift shelters with no end to winter in sight.

The international community seems more focused on saving face than on finding a solution to the crisis. The UN security council resolution endorsed by Donald Trump's administration promises a "board of peace" that echoes disastrous policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. This vision involves propping up Israeli occupation, while Palestinians are drawn to areas to escape squalor and chaos elsewhere.

The resolution's vagueness on Palestinian statehood and Israeli withdrawal only serves to further muddle the situation. The inclusion of references to these concepts is couched in terms that could be used to justify Israel's continued occupation, rather than recognizing Palestinian rights.

As the world continues to move forward with a plan that seems designed more to soothe consciences than address the grievances of Palestinians, it's hard not to conclude that this is more about reputation-laundering than genuine concern for the people affected. Germany's announcement to resume arms exports to Israel only adds insult to injury.

The future looks bleak, and it's likely that "what looked like a forever war may be metamorphizing into forever misery" as warned by Nathan Brown, a political scientist. For those who were complicit in a genocidal war, the duty to demand better is clear. The international community must do more than just talk; it must act with urgency and compassion to address this humanitarian crisis and find a lasting solution for Palestinians.

my heart is breaking thinking about all those kids who lost their lives in Gaza the situation is getting worse every day, it's like the international community is just paying lip service to help but not actually doing anything what can we do? more needs to be done ASAP to get aid to those people and find a real solution to this conflict

and ugh, Germany resuming arms exports to Israel is like rubbing salt in the wound how can they justify that? it's just more proof that some countries are only looking out for their own interests not about humanity

The more I think about this situation, the more my heart goes out to those poor kids in Gaza . It's like, we all know what's going on here, but do we actually care enough to do something about it? Israel's actions are just so... messed up . And don't even get me started on the aid situation - it's like they're trying to make sure nobody gets any real help .

I mean, I've seen videos of these kids sleeping in the streets with no shelter, and it's just heartbreaking . We need to be better than this as a global community. We need to start taking responsibility for our actions (or lack thereof) . This whole "board of peace" thing sounds like just another way to keep Israel in power .

I'm tired of hearing about Israel's reputation and how we need to protect its interests . What about the people who are suffering? Don't they deserve some justice? Germany's arms exports to Israel are just sickening . We can do better, and we must do better .

i'm not gonna lie, this whole situation in Gaza is super messed up . i mean, 12 kids killed is just, like, ugh . but at the same time, can we talk about how convenient it is for the international community to just declare a ceasefire and then forget about the actual root causes of the conflict?

i'm all for finding solutions, but let's not pretend that Israel's occupation isn't a major part of the problem here. we need to acknowledge Palestinian rights and work towards some kind of lasting solution that doesn't just prop up Israeli power .

and what's with this "board of peace" thing? sounds like a total joke to me . germany exporting arms to israel again? not cool .

i think the world needs to take a step back and remember why we're even talking about this stuff in the first place - it's not just about reputation or face-saving, it's about human lives . so yeah, let's get serious and do some real work towards finding solutions that benefit everyone involved

man this situation in gaza is getting so out of hand i feel like we're watching a never-ending nightmare unfold over live TV. the lack of action from the international community is really disappointing, it's all about image control at this point especially with germany resuming arms exports to israel... like what even is that supposed to do? the humanitarian crisis needs immediate attention and a real plan to address it, not just some half-baked resolution that justifies continued occupation we need more than just words, we need concrete actions and a genuine commitment to finding a peaceful solution for palestine

this is so heartbreaking ... i feel like we're stuck in some kinda never-ending nightmare where the innocent are getting hurt and nobody's doing enough to stop it . i mean, 12 kids dead? that's just not right . and to make matters worse, the world is more concerned with image than actually fixing the problem . newsflash: just because you're saving face doesn't mean people are getting any better off . we need real change, not just empty promises . what's the point of having a peace board if it's just gonna prop up the status quo? and don't even get me started on germany restarting arms exports to israel ... that's just straight-up cruel .

omg this is soooo upsetting i cant even think about it right now israel's actions are literally inhumane the fact that children are sleeping on bare ground is just heartbreaking i wish there was more being done to help ppl affected by this crisis, not just talkin bout it and doin nothin germany's decision to resume arms exports to israel is straight up infuriating nathan brown said it best "forever war may be metamorphizing into forever misery" i need a solution to this ASAP

omg, cant even believe what's happenin in gaza 33 ppl dead incl 12 kids?? its so sad 2 think the intl communitie is more worried bout savin face n not really helpin sum1 . dont even get me started on israel designate tent poles as dual-use items 4 god sake! save the children reports kids sleepin on bare ground? shivering in flooded shelters w no end to winter?? . whats up w th UN security council resolution? sounds like jus a way 2 prop up israeli occupation & ignore palestinian rights . needs 2 be more than jus talkin bout it, Intl communitie gotta take action & show compassion ASAP

Man, 33 people, including 12 kids, are no joke . It's like, I'm all for a good ceasefire, but come on, Israel needs to stop playing hardball over some tent poles . It's not rocket science, just basic human decency. And don't even get me started on this "board of peace" thing - sounds like a bunch of corporate spin to me . The international community should be all about solving the problem, not just talking it up . Germany selling arms to Israel again? That's just pouring gasoline on the fire . We need to step up and demand better, or else we'll just keep seeing more suffering . It's time for some real action, not just empty words .

man... its been months since this all started and you can still see the desperation in those pics of kids sleeping on bare ground its heartbreaking what we're seeing here, i mean we talk about world peace and stuff but at the end of the day its just politics right? like how can we say were concerned when our actions arent backing it up? germany exporting arms to israel again? that just sucks we need real change not just lip service. its time for us as a global community to step up and do something tangible instead of just talking about it

This whole situation is just heartbreaking, you feel me? Like, can't we all just get along? The international community needs to step up its game and stop being all about diplomatic speak and promises that don't deliver on the ground. It's not like it's gonna make a difference if they just spin some fancy words - people are still suffering, kids are still sleeping on the ground... when are we gonna put our money where our mouth is?

And what's up with all these 'boards of peace' and vague resolutions that only benefit Israel? It's like they're trying to paper over the cracks instead of actually doing something concrete. I mean, if Germany can just resume arms exports to Israel after a genocide, what does that say about our collective values as a world? The Palestinians deserve better than empty promises and diplomatic lip service.

I'm not saying it's gonna be easy, but we gotta try harder. We need more empathy and less justifications for the status quo. Can't we just try to imagine how the other person feels for once? It's time for us to put our humanity on display, rather than just hiding behind bureaucratic jargon and broken promises...

this news is like, so sad man... 33 ppl including kids got killed and now its all about who's gonna sell tents to whom like whats the point of even tryin? dont get me wrong i love israeli ppl too but u can't just label tent poles as dual-use items and expect everyone to be cool with it

anywayz, gotta say tho... germany's decision to start exporting arms again to israel seems like a major bummer i mean whats the logic behind that? dont get me wrong i love germany too but come on ppl

OMG, I'm literally shaking thinking about all those poor kids! 33 lives lost is already too much... I don't get why the ceasefire didn't bring more relief? Like, wouldn't it be better if they had some proper homes to go back to instead of just tents and tarps?

And seriously, who says tent poles are dual-use items?! Is that even a thing? It's like Israel is trying to make this situation even harder for Palestinians.

I'm also super confused about the UN resolution... it sounds like they're trying to justify Israel's occupation instead of finding a real solution. Like, what's going on with Palestinian statehood and Israeli withdrawal?! Can't they just be clear about it?

And Germany announcing they'll export arms to Israel again? That's just salt in the wound... I mean, can't we do better than that? We gotta step up and help those people!

idk why we still can't seem to get this right? 33+ kids lost their lives in gaza, and what's the priority? making sure israel's tent poles aren't gonna be used for military stuff . seriously though, when are we gonna take action instead of just having a bunch of empty promises that don't even mention palestine's right to statehood? it feels like we're more worried about israel's reputation than the actual people suffering there . and now germany's all like yay arms exports for israel , ugh...

I just saw that new Pokémon movie and I'm still thinking about how cute those little Pokémon are , like the ones from my childhood... anyway, have you guys tried that new coffee shop downtown? They got these amazing flavored syrups that make a latte so good... reminds me of when I was traveling in Japan last year and trying all these different types of tea . Oh, and I'm still waiting for them to release new Pokémon cards with those adorable ones from the Alola region .

omg can u believe its still 2025 & gaza ppl r sufferin like dis?! israel's actions are so inhumane & i'm literally fed up w/ the international community not doin enuf about it like, whats goin on? can't we jus talk 2 each other & try 2 find a solution 4 once?! i hate when ppl just talk bout reputation & consciences & germany resumes arms exports 2 israel?! that's just low nathan brown said it best "what looked like a forever war may b metamorphosing into forever misery" i'm literally shook by the thought of it can we pls jus act w/ urgency & compassion 4 once?!

The tragedy unfolding in Gaza is a stark reminder that our words have weight. How many of us would stand idly by while children huddle together for warmth, their homes reduced to rubble? The international community's lack of decisive action only perpetuates suffering. We must ask ourselves: what are we willing to do when the line between compassion and convenience blurs? Can we truly say we're committed to creating change or just maintaining the status quo?

omg this is so heartbreaking 33 people including 12 kids killed in one operation its not like they were fighting back or something they r just trying to live their lives but ppl are being super harsh on the victims instead of focusing on finding a sol and what's up with this "dual-use" thing Israel can use tent poles for military, like who cares about that when ppl need shelter?

and u cant even trust the UN rn theyre more worried about lookin good than actually doin somethin to help Palestinians. and what's with this "board of peace" thing its all vague and stuff thats not gonna solve anything. and Germany thinkin bout startin arms exports again? umm dont they get it?

anyway i feel so bad for these ppl who r sufferin and they dont deserve to be treated like this we gotta do better, Intl community u got this

I'm so worried about the situation in Gaza ... It's heartbreaking to think about those 12 kids who lost their lives . The fact that aid orgs can't even get basic stuff like tents to them is just awful . I mean, how can we expect anyone to rebuild their lives when they're struggling to survive?

I think the UN security council resolution sounds pretty watered down ... it's all about saving face and maintaining Israel's grip on Gaza instead of finding real solutions for Palestinians. And Germany resuming arms exports to Israel is just a slap in the face .

I'm so tired of hearing politicians talk about "diplomacy" and "peace talks" when it seems like they're just stalling ... what's being done to help those people on the ground? The international community needs to step up its game and provide some real support, not just a bunch of empty words .

man this latest military op in Gaza is still fresh in everyone's mind and the pics of those innocent kids... it's like, can't we do better? I mean the ceasefire has brought some relief but what about the long-term solutions? The fact that aid orgs can't even get tents without Israel labeling them as "dual-use" is just ridiculous. And the UN security council resolution? more of a PR stunt than actual help for Gaza . It's like they're worried about Israel's rep than actual human rights. Germany resuming arms exports to Israel is just salt in the wound... what's the point of even having a ceasefire if we're not gonna address the root issues?