It’s hard to know just what to say about the most recent installment of the Israeli-Gaza conflict. The 16 days of fighting have killed 900 Palestinians and left 1.5 million in urgent need of food and medical aid. Recent reports suggest humanitarian aid is currently denied access at Gaza checkpoints. Many international agencies have pulled out, citing the increase of violence as an extreme hazard to their aid workers.
The Israeli government has forbidden foreign journalists from entering the Gaza strip, making it impossible to confirm accuracy of the reports coming from the region. Fortunately, in the age of the internet, anything is possible. For the first time in history you can act as an international observer from the comfort of your own home.
The Israel Defense Ministry has set up a web cam feed of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, the largest boarder crossing between Israel and Gaza. Live images are broadcast during the three hour ceasefire from three cameras that monitor the entrance and exit of the terminal. Are the trucks really making it across the boarder and into Gaza? Is there really a steady flow of aid to the Palestinian people? Now you can see for yourself.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a little hope in these troubled times, why not check out the live feed of the Western Wall.
Are all these live feeds just a publicity stunt for a beleaguered government trying to change international public opinion on their efforts? Is seeing really believing? What do you think?