Content warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault and violence. It also contains remarks from Israeli government officials demeaning the Palestinian people.

In an April 12, 2024 article, The Hilltop Monitor implied that acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas towards Israelis on Oct. 7 were called into question. There is substantial evidence, including from a United Nations report, that such acts did occur. It is crucial in journalism to believe victims of sexual violence and assault. The story should have reflected that different government officials and media outlets disagree on reports of weaponized rape.

A corrected version of the story is below:

This is the third article published in The Hilltop Monitor about the Israel-Hamas conflict. See also Alee Dickey’s October 2023 opinion piece on the initial Hamas attacks and the first article in my series on the origins and objectives of the conflict from Feb. 9, 2024.

Conflict Renews

“On the morning of Oct. 7,” Dickey’s article begins, “around 2,200 rockets raced toward southern and central Israel. The rockets targeted sites like the Nova Music Festival where attendees were forcibly taken as hostages; later, at least 260 bodies were discovered.” Since the publication of Dickey’s article, more facts have come to light about the initial attacks from Hamas.

According to Reuters, the initial attacks were multifaceted. Hamas rockets were merely the first strike of several. Two hours later, Hamas militants broke down barriers separating Gaza from southern Israel. The attacks caught several Israeli military bases off-guard in what can only be described as a severe intelligence failure; neither Israeli nor Western intelligence agencies foresaw these attacks.

The results were horrific. Witnesses at the Nova festival, a significant target of Hamas attacks, described rape, mutilation, and murder against civilians.

May Golan, Israel’s Women Empowerment Minister, told the BBC that she “spoke with at least three girls who are now hospitali[zed] for a very hard psychiatric situation because of the rapes they watched. They pretended to be dead and they watched it, and heard everything. And they can’t deal with it.”

It was reported that Hamas had ordered its militants to systematically rape Israeli women and girls. A December 2023 New York Times investigation found that “the attacks against [Israeli] women were not isolated events but part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence on Oct. 7.” 

Sexual violence did occur on Oct. 7; however, whether such violence was systematic on the part of Hamas is disputed. Independent investigations from the Intercept and Al Jazeera found significant problems with the New York Times investigation’s claims. The Intercept also reports that an episode of The Daily, a podcast created by the New York Times, covering the paper’s investigations failed to pass a fact check, and was not published as a result; Times representatives have denied this claim.

In the days that followed, Hamas claimed direct responsibility for the attacks. In an interview with NPR, senior Hamas official Ali Barakeh stated that the attacks were in response to “Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and the West Bank,” asserting that the attacks were retaliatory. The Hamas official did not specify in this interview what crimes he had been referring to, but Israel has committed many crimes in this region.

The Israeli military could not effectively respond to these attacks; military forces were disorganized, so a defensive response was not possible on Oct. 7. A separate New York Times investigation found that the Israeli army “was undermanned, out of position and so poorly organized that soldiers communicated in impromptu WhatsApp groups and relied on social media posts for targeting information.” 

Yaakov Amidror, a retired Israeli general, told that same New York Times investigation that there was no Israeli plan to address a Hamas attack, saying that “the army does not prepare itself for things it thinks are impossible.”

Israel’s subsequent retaliation, on the other hand, was anything but poorly organized.

Lockdown

Almost immediately after Oct. 7, Israel heightened its trade blockade of the Gaza Strip, an area to Israel’s south. Blockades are nothing new for Gaza, as Gaza has been under blockade since 2007. However, the pre-attack blockade still permitted essential services through. Now, the Israeli government denied those essential services access to Gaza. 

Two days after the Oct. 7 invasion, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a total blockade of Gaza. The enhanced blockade represented “a complete siege … no electricity, no water, no food, no fuel.” Gallant added, “We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly.”

About a week and a half later, on Oct. 21, Israel lifted parts of the blockade, allowing minimal amounts of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via the Rafah border crossing in Egypt. Even so, Israel’s invasion has been devastating to Gaza’s economy and well-being. Over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and more Palestinians are being killed by Israel every day. As of the time of writing, this number nears 33,000 people.

According to Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, Palestinian welfare is rapidly diminishing. As of December 2023, 1.9 million people in Gaza are internally displaced. The term “internally displaced person,” according to the UN Commission for Human Rights, refers to any person who is forced to leave their home or residence as a direct result of armed conflict. Such people are often referred to as “refugees.” For reference, the population of Gaza is 2.2 million people: meaning that 85% of Gaza’s population is (or has been) displaced.

This devastation has led Doctors Without Borders’s International Secretary General, Christopher Lockyear, to tell the United Nations Security Council, “[Palestinians are suffering] repeated displacement, constant fear and witnessing family members literally dismembered before their eyes.” Young children, even as young as five, have told Doctors Without Borders that they would “prefer to die [instead of remaining in Gaza].”

Some claim that this blatant disregard for civilian life violates the laws of war. Despite Israel’s loosening of the blockade, around half a million Palestinians in Gaza are starving. Regardless of whether Israel has loosened the blockade, intentional starvation of civilians is forbidden under international law. Israel has been accused of genocidal actions at the International Court of Justice as well.

Conclusions & Series Map

An important takeaway from the above descriptions of the Israel-Hamas conflict is that this war is going to be complicated. Both Hamas and the Israeli government have disrespected the laws of war and each other. We should expect, then, for histories to be clouded, for tensions to be high, conditions for civilians to be brutal, and for overall mistrust and obscuring of a way out. In my next article, I’ll discuss war crimes committed by all sides of this conflict. Later articles will cover what I believe to be the solution.

Loose Park

Tucked away in the heart of Kansas City lies Loose Park, a sprawling 75-acre. Meander through its lush greenery and discover the enchanting rose garden, home to over “3,000 roses of nearly 130 varieties.” Best of all, admission is free, making it an accessible retreat for all to enjoy.

Kansas City Ferris Wheel

For a unique perspective of the city, head to the Kansas City Ferris Wheel at Union Station. Climb aboard a private gondola, accommodating up to six people, and ascend to new heights as you marvel at panoramic views of the skyline. Tickets are $16.50 for adults. 

Tulip Festival

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on a countryside adventure at Fun Farm in nearby Kearney. There awaits the annual Tulip Festival from Apr. 5 to Apr. 28, a celebration of spring’s vibrant colors and natural beauty. With over 1.5 million tulips in full bloom, it’s a sight to behold and a photographer’s dream come true. Wander through endless fields of blossoms and pick your favorites to take home. Tickets are $21.95, offering access to a floral paradise.

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

Step into a peaceful world at the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, where art and nature intertwine in perfect harmony. Adorned with bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin, this tranquil garden boasts lush foliage, colorful blooms and playful fountains. With its free admission, it’s the ideal destination for those seeking serene moments amidst the beauty of spring.

River Market

Nestled just South of the Missouri River lies the historic River Market. Gather your friends and family at the heart of the region’s vibrant culture at The City Market, home to the area’s largest farmers market. Every Saturday and Sunday, year-round, over 140 stalls offer a cornucopia of fresh produce, flowers, delectable baked goods and an array of locally crafted treasures. 

First Fridays

Experience the pulse of creativity during First Fridays, a beloved tradition where, on the first Friday of every month, residents and visitors converge upon the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City. Immerse yourself in the city’s artistic essence as galleries, studios and businesses showcase the works of local, regional, national and international artists. 

Pickleball

Dive into the vibrant world of pickleball, an outdoor sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious beginner, Kansas City offers several pickleball courts waiting to be explored. From community parks to recreational centers, you’ll find diverse venues catering to players of all skill levels. There are websites to discover the perfect court for your next match. 

Monarchs Baseball Game

Step into the exhilarating atmosphere of minor league baseball at a Monarchs game in Kansas City. Root for the home team as they battle it out on the diamond. Tickets have a large price range, so attending a Monarchs game is an accessible and enjoyable outing for individuals and groups alike.

Hiking at Burr Oak Woods

Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery amidst the natural splendor of Burr Oak Woods, full of rolling hillsides, lush woodlands and meandering trails. This nature reserve offers a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Whether you’re an avid hiker or prefer a casual stroll, Burr Oak Woods is a great option with its scenic beauty and diverse ecosystems. 

Ketamine has been used to induce loss of consciousness for general anesthesia for decades. Recently, this medicine has been used as a second-line treatment in clinical trials and research to treat depression, which has sparked controversy. It is not hard to find news about addiction and misuse, or even death when you search for ketamine. Moreover, this drug is not approved by the FDA to treat depression. Despite its bad reputation, ketamine is a promising medication for depression and an impactful chemical for psychological disorder research.

Let’s first explore the reasons why ketamine can be a good alternative for standard treatment when those common medications do not help alleviate depression. The current antidepressants act to increase the level of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurotransmitters in the brain to make patients feel happier. As a new researcher myself, I consider this method ineffective. By enhancing the happy mood to treat depressed patients, researchers and doctors assume that depression is a mood disorder, and patients are simply unhappy. In reality, the causes of depression are much more complicated. A major one involves the alteration of synapses’ size and activity which then affects the connection between neurons. Therefore, in an attempt to treat depression, medicine should aim to fix the changes in how neurons communicate. Through many years of research on cell culture and rodent models, scientists found that ketamine enhances the activity at glutaminergic synapses and increases synaptic sizes, which are heavily reduced in depression. In short, ketamine reverses some of the known physiological alterations. Ketamine treatment has shown success in reducing symptoms of depression in many clinical trials. A patient is eligible if common antidepressants have proven ineffective. Patients are treated with low doses of ketamine along with cognitive behavior training under strict treatment plans with research physicians. 

Despite the promising results, ketamine should not be approved for general depression treatment. Research on ketamine is limited. Scientists have focused on the effects on the damaged parts of the brain (cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, etc.), but they have not explored the consequences of long-term ketamine usage on the brain as a whole. Ketamine is also highly addictive, leading to a potential long-term struggle for patients who are already mentally ill. We should think of the success of ketamine treatment as the groundwork to develop new medications that target the same neurotransmitter (glutamate) but without the addictive effects and other unknown consequences on the brain. Hopefully, a new medicine might offer a better first-line treatment for depression compared to the current antidepressants on the market.