War has been a constant theme throughout the evolution of humankind. One side versus the other. One is bad and one is good depending on what they stand for and what you believe. Oftentimes it is forgotten that on both sides there are innocent human beings who are simply trying to live their lives and are being represented by a government or entity that they don’t necessarily agree with themselves. All they want is to be safe, yet they are dragged into the crossfire.
On October 9, 2025, Israel and Palestine signed a temporary ceasefire. With this ceasefire the last twenty remaining living hostages that Hamas had captured were released. Along with this, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Many of those imprisoned were ordinary people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, swept up by fear and policy rather than guilt. They, too, became collateral in a war far bigger than themselves.
For those who have not been imprisoned, the people of these nations have experienced devastating losses. In Gaza, families have been displaced and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. In Israel, communities continue to live under threat, mourning those who were taken or killed. In moments like this, it becomes clear that wars are not fought only between armies — they are fought on the backs of the people living beneath them.
Just days ago, thousands of Americans filled the street for the second No Kings march. This has been the second protest against unchecked authority and the misuse of power since Trump has reassumed presidential office. Though far removed from a war zone, the message was the same: power without accountability endangers ordinary people. Whether it is a government waging war abroad or a leader overstepping at home, the result is the same — human beings pay the price.
Thus, while politics and ideology dominate headlines, the real crisis is human. Whether in Gaza, Israel, or here at home, the same question persists: who holds power, how is it used, and who suffers when it’s abused or unchecked? To understand what power without accountability truly looks like, we only need to turn our eyes away from leaders and armies and look at the people whose lives have been upended by conflict. Behind every statistic or headline are families torn apart, parents searching for their children, and survivors struggling to rebuild what remains of their homes.
When the ceasefire was announced, many families finally reunited with loved ones. For the families who have waited in silence and fear, there was only one thought — they have come home. Yet, even in moments of relief, the suffering has not ended. Thousands of Gazans still remain displaced and have been left to wander through the ruins of what once was their neighborhoods. Refugees in surrounding regions face despair in overcrowded shelters and shortages of food and medicine that deepen the toll of the war. Both governments and militant groups claim to act in defense of their people, but their decisions endanger them instead. Behind every announcement of victory or negotiation are the same faces — mothers searching for their children, fathers mourning their families, and survivors trying to rebuild their lives. In the end, they all pay the price for decisions made by those in power.
The suffering of innocents on both sides reveals a deeper truth about power: those who wield it often do so in ways that erase the very humanity they claim to defend. Hamas and the Israeli government operate from positions of authority, yet civilians continue to bear the consequences of their choices. Each side justifies its action through promises of justice, vengeance and protection, but the result is the same: ordinary people pay the price for political ambition. Power without responsibility turns human lives into strategy, and grief into collateral. The question is no longer about which side is right or wrong. It is about how power can be exercised without erasing humanity altogether.
This question demands answers because the problem is not isolated to events abroad. It is happening in our home. On October 18, the second No Kings march took place to reject the authoritarianism Donald Trump is pushing for with his presidency and to demand accountability in government. While Trump claims that his actions are simply to make America great again, the type of government that he is pushing for will limit the rights of the American people slowly until they are left with nothing. This is why people are demanding to be seen and protected, not ruled or sacrificed. The protestors on our streets and the civilians in Gaza and Israel share the same underlying desire: they yearn to live free from fear and domination.
It’s not us against them — Republican against Democrat, Israel versus Gaza — but about how we protect the people who make up these nations. How do we come together and fight for our autonomy? To fight for a life we will benefit from rather than being victims of leaders who have unchecked power. How do we have more moments like the No Kings march — moments where people unite to demand accountability from their leaders? Until we see every life as equally valuable, we’ll keep repeating the same story, one where power wins and people lose.
It’s disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of massacred Palestinians, and to the millions still facing starvation and occupation, to equivocate their desires for peace and an end to the ongoing genocide with that of the Israelis and Americans not wanting to lose party of their privileged lifestyle. Shame!
There is no clearer example of right vs wrong than the Gaza war- even if you don’t agree with Israel’s tactics or actions. Hamas led terrorists crossed a border to wage a genocidal war and sparked two+ years of suffering. The answer isn’t the “both sides-ism” proposed by the author. It is to de-nazify the next generation of gazans so they are not fodder for apocalyptic religious extremists like Hamas. And yes- Hamas and ideological predecessors (even the mainstream Palestinian Arabs of the time) were nazi supporters. Until people can be clear about that, there is no solution to that conflict.