Structural violence and colonial legacies shape Ramadan in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli bombardment
Original framing: “No joy, no respite during Ramadan for families in Gaza City destroyed by Israel .” — Al Jazeera
The current crisis in Gaza is part of a century-long pattern of British and Israeli land expropriation, displacement, and violence against Palestinians. Historical parallels include the 1948 Nakba, the 1967 occupation, and the 2008-2009 Gaza invasion, all of which share similar patterns of infrastructure destruction and civilian targeting.
The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza during Ramadan is not an isolated tragedy but a manifestation of a centuries-old colonial project that has systematically erased their land, culture, and agency.
This violence is enabled by global power structures, including Western military support and international legal complicity. To move toward justice, we must center Palestinian voices, dismantle colonial frameworks, and support reparative and decolonial solutions. Historical parallels with other colonized peoples, scientific evidence of the long-term impacts of conflict, and cross-cultural solidarity all point to the necessity of a systemic, not merely humanitarian, response. Only through such a comprehensive lens can we begin to imagine a future where Palestinians can live freely, safely, and with dignity.