The Al-Raid Muslim Student Organization, a student organization at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Cagayan de Oro City, started the 4-day campaign “Stand with Gaza: Walk, Write, Speak, Pray” on October 28. The campaign aims to build the participants’ “solidarity and commiseration” with the Palestinians in Gaza, beyond religions and differences. It calls on students to “stand for the truth and use their voices for justice and peace.”

According to The Trailblazer, USTP’s campus publication, one of the speakers at the opening of the activity was Mohammad Khandalvi I. Sahisa from Liceo de Cagayan University, who asserted that Palestinians must regain their land. “A two-state solution is not necessary,” he said. He indicated that the “2-state solution” being pushed by many imperialist countries as a mere “delusion,” in which Israel would continue occupying its seized territories while Palestinians would be left with only a tiny portion of their land.

On the second day, students designated a freedom wall where they posted their messages of solidarity with Gaza. The students’ writings include their expressions of grief, accompanied by their unwavering hope and struggle for justice.

The activity was held in cooperation with the University Student Government, Student Council of Information Technology and Computing, Student Council of Science and Mathematics, Student Council of Engineering and Architecture, Student Council of Science and Technology Education, and other organizations. Students from Liceo de Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro College, and Xavier University also participated.

The activity took place amid Zionist Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza, where almost two million Palestinians are suffering. On October 14, Hamas and Zionist Israel agreed to a ceasefire to implement the release of hostages from both sides and allow the entry of urgently needed aid to the civilian population in Gaza.

Despite this, Israeli soldiers continue to attack and violate the agreement provisions. More than 90 Palestinians had been killed in attacks as of October 28, with an additional 91 deaths recorded on October 29 alone, including 29 children. Instead of the 600 food trucks agreed upon daily, Israel has allowed only 89 to 94 trucks per day to enter Gaza over the past 19 days, which is only 15% of the agreed number. This has led to persistent severe hunger in Gaza, especially in Northern Gaza.