Beirut, Lebanon – The ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked military aggression and the normalization of violence against civilian populations. The current conflict, marked by airstrikes in Beirut and inflammatory rhetoric from US leaders, has its roots in the international community's failure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

President Trump's recent threat against Iran, interpreted by many as a threat of genocide, echoes his previous dehumanizing statements about Gaza. Over a year ago, he declared that a “civilization has been wiped out in Gaza,” setting a dangerous precedent for future military actions.

The bombing campaigns in Lebanon, which have already claimed the lives of over 200 people in a single day, are a tragic consequence of the international community's silence regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. For two and a half years, western politicians and media outlets normalized Israel's wholesale shredding of international law. This inaction has emboldened the US and Israel to pursue a similar course of action against Iran.

The war began with the mass killing of 175 people, most of them schoolgirls, in the Iranian city of Minab. This atrocity, which received limited international condemnation, is just the latest example of the disregard for civilian life that has characterized this conflict. Reports indicate that 763 Iranian schools and 316 medical centers have been damaged or destroyed, mirroring the devastation inflicted upon Gaza.

The attacks on Iranian infrastructure recall Israel's actions in Gaza, where essential resources like electricity, food, and water were cut off from the civilian population. The then defense minister, Yoav Gallant, justified this collective punishment by dehumanizing Palestinians as “human animals.” This dehumanizing rhetoric is echoed in the current conflict with Iran, where similar justifications are being used to target critical infrastructure.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for their actions in Gaza. However, many Western states have refused to honor these warrants, undermining the international legal system. Furthermore, the ICC judges were placed under sanctions by the US, and some European governments withdrew their support.

Israeli leaders have made inflammatory statements that have fueled the conflict. President Isaac Herzog declared that “an entire nation out there is responsible,” while another Israeli general described “the citizens of Gaza” as “human beasts.” These dehumanizing statements have contributed to a climate of violence and impunity.