The Israel-Hamas war is a multifaceted challenge, characterized by generational tensions rooted in historical, religious and cultural complexities. The protracted struggle has resulted in diplomatic challenges and humanitarian issues, impacting the youth caught in the midst of the conflict.
Showing compassion for the impacted youth as a grandson of Palestinians, junior Asyad Okar states that children face this in their everyday lives despite having no control over the conflict.
“I feel really bad for what the children and teenagers have to go through on a daily basis and how they have no say in this situation at all,” Okar said. “I think it’s really bad and unfair for the innocent civilians who are in fear of their lives every day.”
A strong sense of passion regarding this issue stems from previous generations, according to social studies teacher Daniel Gilleran. He believes this impacts today’s youth and this generation’s mindset.
“There’s so much in it,” Gilleran said. “You start taking people’s land, they’re going to get upset. You have religion all upset at the politics, all upset at the historical aspect of it and innocent people are dying on both sides.”
As the young people in Gaza grapple with the traumatic consequences of the ongoing and historical effects of the conflict, social studies teacher Bridget Cooley believes that appalling acts are met on both sides that the youth have to face.
“I think what’s so terrifying is that for a lot of young children, this is the third war Gazans have lived through, so for these kids all they’ve known really is war, and this one is the most horrifying they have experienced,” Cooley said. “But I just think of the trauma, it’s a very young population and I think half of Gazans are under the age of eighteen. And then on the other side, of course, Israeli children were killed, some were taken hostage, including a nine-month-old baby, so I think the impact for both sides is horrible.”
“I think what’s so terrifying is that for a lot of young children, this is the third war Gazans have lived through, so for these kids all they’ve known really is war, and this one is the most horrifying they have experienced.”
— Bridget Cooley, Social Studies Teacher
“America is a huge ally of Israel, so that means a lot of the weapons that are being used in this conflict come from trade and are supplied by America,” Cooley said. “So while we’re not directly involved, America does have a role in this and I think that’s something that we should all think about.”
In accordance with Cooley’s insight on the United States’ involvement with the conflict, Gilleran emphasizes the importance for students removed from the immediate impact of the conflict to dedicate time to understanding global events as we are all connected.
“Once you begin to explain it to some of the students, they’ll take a look and think it’s really bad,” Gilleran said. “I think we have to understand how that ripple effect can affect the country. We are all connected. I mean, we really are economically, politically, socially, we’re all connected.”
