Vantage | 5 videos that define Israel-Hamas war

In today’s digital age, the power of visuals cannot be overstated especially when it comes to conveying the harsh realities of war. Social media is replete with thousands of videos showcasing the devastation, destruction, killings and heroic acts that unfold during times of conflict. Here we seek to shed light on five pivotal videos that bear witness to a conflict, providing a glimpse into the profound impact of images on our understanding of war.

Horror at a music festival The first video takes us to a seemingly peaceful music festival in Reim, a region in southern Israel, just a few kilometres away from the Gaza border. Thousands of people gathered there anticipating a journey of “unity and love”. However, their hopes were shattered when Hamas terrorists paraglided into the site early Saturday morning, as captured in festival videos. Initially oblivious to the imminent danger, festival-goers continued dancing until the moment the music stopped abruptly and panic ensued. Some sought shelter while others rushed towards the exit. It is unclear how much time passed between the Hamas landing and the people running, but it looks like it all happened very quickly. A dashcam footage shows how the entire thing unfolded. In the opening frame, you can see a motionless body lying by a car and a Hamas terrorist is seen grabbing another man who is led away from the site. We don’t know if he survived. Then, the body lying by the car suddenly moves and he slowly raises his head to see if Hamas had left, but it was a fatal mistake as the Hamas terrorist shoots him point blank. Tragically, at least 260 people lost their lives in this horrific massacre. Iron Dome in action Our second video showcases the Iron Dome, Israel’s missile defence system, in action. The Iron Dome has been instrumental in intercepting rockets since 2011, saving countless civilian lives. When Hamas began firing rockets into Israel, the Iron Dome swiftly jumped into action. However, it faced an overwhelming onslaught as Hamas launched thousands of rockets into the country. Despite a remarkable 96.5 per cent success rate, the sheer volume of rockets posed a formidable challenge leading to some parts of Israel being hit. Airstrikes in Gaza The third video takes us to Gaza which has been under intense bombardment with rockets from Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video that illustrates the scale of the Israeli operation and the extensive damage caused by the airstrikes. The situation remains tense with extensive damage evident in the region. Devastation in Gaza Our fourth video provides a glimpse into the devastating aftermath of the conflict in Gaza. This densely populated area, home to nearly 2 million people, has been subjected to relentless airstrikes. Drone footage reveals the extent of destruction with many buildings reduced to rubble. Gazans are now grappling with a severe shortage of food, fuel and electricity. Hospitals are inundated with patients and medical aid is dwindling. It’s the ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of this devastating conflict. Tragedy in a hospital Our fifth and final video takes us to the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza where a nurse while treating patients discovers that her husband is among the dead. What follows is a scene of hysteria as she rushes out of the hospital to break the tragic news to her daughter. Gaza reports that at least 700 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. The videos presented here are just a fraction of the footage documenting the ongoing conflict. While these visuals have the power to galvanize and inform, it’s important to approach them with a critical eye. In the age of social media, verification is crucial and we must remember that visuals can be manipulated or selectively used to craft specific narratives. As we follow this conflict and others like it, it is advisable to take everything with a pinch of salt. Not everything seen on social media is necessarily the complete truth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.