At midnight on October 13, the Israeli army unleashed the flames of destruction on Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Hospital, claiming the lives of countless innocent souls in the worst possible way – burning them alive. Journalists on the ground documented horrific scenes of helpless and trapped people, consumed by flames in their sleep, in their hospital beds, bedridden and unable to move.

One of the victims, 19-year-old Shabaan Al-Dali, burned alive with an IV line still attached to his hand. The world witnessed the tragedy through Saleh Al-Jafarawi’s heartbreaking screams: “People are being burned alive right in front of us!”

His words reflected the deep helplessness that gripped us all. This latest massacre is not an isolated incident. It is a chilling reminder of the previous “tent massacre” that took place in May in Tel Al-Sultan, where images of charred corpses and the decapitated child circulated on social media, sparking global outrage and sadness.

The deliberately provoked humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated at an alarming rate over the past year in the most documented genocide in our history. Images of burning tents and helpless cries for help echo in our minds, a haunting reminder of the reality Palestinians have been living with for over 76 years. We cannot afford to remain silent or complacent in the face of such brutality. Now more than ever, the American people must stand up for the rights and dignity of the Palestinians.

Ikram Mezghani, Derry Township, Pa.