Various groups in the Philippines vowed in solidarity with the Palestine people against Israel following the first anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a historic campaign of Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation and continued US intervention.
The Youth for Justice and Peace (Y4JP) asserted the intertwined struggle of the Filipino and Palestinian people against occupation, imperialism, and genocide.
According to Y4JP, the ongoing Zionist occupation of Palestine mirrors the Philippines’ historical experience of foreign intervention, particularly by the United States, which continues to fuel conflicts in the West Philippine Sea.
“The US military presence in our waters mirrors its unchecked support for Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. The continuing bloodshed in Palestine is only a grave reminder of the human cost of wars fueled by imperialist powers and their capital interests,” said Y4JP in a statement.
Ysabelle Briones, spokesperson for Y4JP, condemned the continued US intervention in enabling Israel’s genocidal war.
“The US continues to play a central role from supplying advanced weaponry, providing over $3.8 billion in annual military aid, and vetoing UN Security Council resolutions aimed at stopping Israel’s genocidal war. It is clear that the US is complicit in the massacre of Palestinians, reinforcing its imperialist goals in the Middle East,” said Briones.
As of October 7, the Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 41,909 people killed in the war, with many still buried in sand and rubble.
“This isn’t just a one-year genocide, but a continuation of more than 76 years of systemic oppression. We cannot allow ourselves to forget that the same imperialist forces backing the Zionist occupation of Palestine are the same ones destabilizing our own country. The US not only funds and arms Israel’s genocide but also maintains military installations even in our own lands and use us as pawns in its broader geopolitical interests,” Briones furthered.
Briones also highlighted how the ongoing bombings and military operations in the countryside particularly in indigenous communities remain underreported due to the harassment and red-tagging of human rights defenders and journalists.
“We demand that President Marcos Jr. be held accountable for these atrocities and the silencing of those who seek to expose the truth,” she added.
Growing international outrage
On the same day, Hamas’ military spokesperson Abu Obaida reaffirmed the Palestinian resistance’s commitment to fighting in what he described as a “long war of attrition” against Israel.
“The psychological and health condition of the remaining hostages has become very difficult, and the risks for them are increasing day by day,” Obaida stated.
Obaida further criticized Netanyahu’s refusal to engage in negotiations, stating that the families of the hostages could have been reunited if it had aligned with Netanyahu’s ambitions.
During the 79th United Nations General Assembly last Septemer 27, delegates from Indonesia, Kuwait, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Cuba walked out in protest as Netanyahu took the podium. The walkout, led by countries from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), highlighted their opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
Meanwhile, the Netanyahu administration remains silent amid international pressure. According to reports, Israel has ignored at least four UN declarations calling for an end to its occupation in Palestinian lands and urging for a ceasefire.
Countries such as South Africa have also led the charge in filing cases against Israel, including a genocide case. Despite these, Israel continues to expand its military aggression even to neighboring countries such as South Africa, Bolivia, and Namibia which expressed support to Palestine.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), Israel responded with further bombings and crackdowns ballooning to 17,081 incidents across five countries including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
“This isn’t just about Palestine—it’s about standing against a global system of imperialism that oppresses all of us. The victory of Palestine will be a victory for every nation fighting against imperialism for national liberation,” said Briones.
