On October 7, the world marks the second anniversary of the historic Al Aqsa Flood, the armed offensive launched from land, sea, and air by Palestinian forces led by Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades against the occupying power, Israel.

The offensive ignited the Palestinian people’s aspiration to end Israel’s 75-year war of aggression. The US supported the occupation of Palestinian territories, including the continuing siege of Gaza and attacks on West Bank communities.

Over the following two years, aided by imperialist US and allied European countries, Zionist Israel relentlessly bombed Gaza’s civilian population. It destroyed hospitals, churches, schools, apartments, buildings, and even evacuation centers.

It killed more than 66,500 Palestinians, including 18,500 children. Another 453 died from malnutrition and hunger. It killed a total of 254 journalists. In March, Israel completely blocked aid from entering the city, while Israeli soldiers and American mercenaries weaponized aid distribution to kill Palestinians. In September, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry very belatedly declared Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.

Free Palestine!

People worldwide have witnessed the legitimacy of the Palestinians’ armed struggle for liberation from the occupation and genocide of Zionist Israel. People united to express their outrage at the genocide while pressing their governments to stand with the Palestinians. Millions of people joined and relentlessly launched thousands of actions in various forms, in different parts of the world. Nations from Africa, Asia, and Latin America joined forces to launch a legal campaign against the occupation and hold it accountable for war crimes. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The International League of Peoples’ Struggle and the International Association of Democratic Lawyers will hold this coming November the International People’s Tribunal for Palestine to document and judge the war crimes, genocide, ecocide, and mass starvation Israel and the US committed against Palestinians.

In August, composed of 44 ships carrying more than 400 people, the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla sailed to deliver services and aid to Gaza. Although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blocked the ships on October 2, the participants resolutely stood to relentlessly try breaking Israel’s siege of Gaza.

Even Israeli citizens have been resisting and opposing their own government’s actions. Many young Israelis have chosen imprisonment rather than enlistment in the IDF.

In the Philippines, organizations continue to act in support and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, such as the Youth for Palestine and the Palestine–Philippines Friendship Association. Campaigns have also been launched to stop the US–Marcos regime from purchasing weapons from Israel. Overseas Filipino migrants have likewise joined actions advocating for the liberation of Palestine.

At present, Hamas, Israel, and the US are negotiating based on a program for peace talks on Gaza drafted by US President Donald Trump, which disregards the will of the Palestinian people themselves.

Despite enduring annihilation, Palestinians continue their resistance through armed and unarmed struggle. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine member Leila Khaled said the liberation of the Palestinians will inevitably come, for the peoples of the world now stand with them and will continue to fight until they finally achieve freedom from genocide and occupation.