On October 7th, the continuing genocide in Gaza and the massive bombings in Lebanon will likely be ignored by US officials and media outlets as they solemnly commemorate the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel. But the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict didn’t begin on October 7th, nor did suffering end on that day.

October 7th was a horrific day of condemnable acts committed by Hamas against innocents. The stories of those who were murdered or taken as hostages must be told as we hear their cries and mourn their loss. Hamas must be condemned for their crimes. But history didn’t start on that nightmarish day, nor end.

Since then, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, 97,000 wounded, and 20,000 or more are missing. Entire Palestinian families have been wiped out, neighborhoods leveled, most housing, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure in Gaza destroyed. Aid restrictions have resulted in deaths from disease, starvation, and malnutrition. And psychological disorders have resulted from prolonged trauma. Respected international agencies call what Israel has done genocide—the........

© The Nation