Academic and political analyst Dr. Ahmad Shadid stated that the recent heavy rainfall in the West Bank, despite its positive significance under normal circumstances, has once again exposed the depth of the humanitarian tragedy endured by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He explained that the rains have turned into an additional burden, intensifying the suffering of thousands of displaced people living in tents that lack even the most basic means of protection.
Speaking during an interview on “Al-Raqeeb” program, hosted by journalist Talaat Alawi, Shadid stressed that what is happening in Gaza cannot be reduced to natural factors or poor infrastructure. He warned that such narratives contribute to misleading public opinion and deliberately overlook the fundamental reality: the Israeli occupation bears direct responsibility for the destruction of infrastructure, the imposition of the siege, and the obstruction of reconstruction efforts.
Shadid emphasized that Gaza’s suffering did not begin with the events of October 7, but rather represents the continuation of a historical crime spanning more than 150 years, rooted in land theft and systematic attempts to erase the Palestinian people. He underscored that the hardships Palestinians face today are a direct consequence of ongoing occupation policies.
He also condemned the seizure and withholding of Palestinian funds, describing it as an integral part of a broader policy of starvation and siege. In addition, he pointed to environmental and economic crimes in the West Bank, alongside what he described as arbitrary field killings carried out by the occupation “at will,” without accountability or legal consequences.
In a related context, Shadid delivered sharp criticism of the performance of some Arab and international media outlets, accusing them of promoting the occupation’s narrative through the use of misleading terminology. He argued that portraying Israeli actions as “self-defense” or shifting responsibility onto Palestinians for the aggression they endure constitutes a form of media complicity.
Shadid concluded by asserting that the battle over terminology is no less dangerous than the military confrontation, calling for the liberation of public consciousness before the liberation of geography. He noted that Palestine has become a daily moral test for the media, and that the written and spoken word now represents the last line of defense for truth, amid international silence and continued U.S. support for the occupation.