By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - On the first anniversary of the ongoing Israeli violence in the Gaza Strip, American people have voiced their grief and frustration, and called for immediate action to end the suffering of the people in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
From sorrow over the loss of innocent lives to demands for stronger political action, their messages reflect widespread concern over the humanitarian crisis.
Calling the Israeli killings of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza a “huge genocide,” Emaraa Milhomme, 21, told Anadolu: "I think that there needs to be some change with how the US is interfering with everything that's going on in Gaza.”
"It's a lot of people who have lost their lives, a lot of children, women, men, and I think it needs to come to an end soon, because it's been going on for, you know, such a long time," Milhomme said.
Although, Milhomme said the Biden administration is "doing enough" to reach a cease-fire deal in the besieged enclave, she criticized the US for still sending weapons to Israel.
"I think it's scary," she said.
For her, putting pressure on politicians is "important" to reach a "cease-fire, or some sort of deal with this genocide is not happening."
Greg Schneider, 42, told Anadolu that what happened on Oct. 7 and what is happening right now has been "incredibly sad."
"It hurts me that there is so much pain happening, both in Israel and Gaza, and I do feel for both sides ... And I really feel for the people, the innocents and the civilians and the people who are just trying to live their lives, who are embroiled in this. And it just hurts my heart," Schneider said.
Expressing concern over how and when a solution will be reached in Gaza, he hoped there is going to be peace soon.
"And it's not going to be by the one-year anniversary, but hopefully we can soon see some peace and people can get back to living their lives," Schneider added.
Wishing that the Joe Biden administration would "do more" to reach a deal in Gaza, he said that it's a "very complicated" issue, and is not going to be easy to solve.
When asked about the ongoing weapons supply to Israel by the US, he said: "I don't like it, and I wish it would change."
- 'My heart is broken for people in Gaza'
Another American also voiced concern over the US arms sale to Israel.
"As a taxpayer, I'm really upset about what is going on. That's part of our money is being used to cause human casualties in the war … they are supplying weapons instead of supplying positive energy," Mit Dossa, 55, told Anadolu.
Denouncing what is going on in Gaza, Dossa said: "It is so unfortunate. It's so devastating."
He added that the Biden administration is "not doing enough" to bring about a cease-fire.
Jasia Smith, 24, told Anadolu that what has been happening in Gaza for the last year is "horrific."
"I think innocent lives should not be taken, especially so many, so many children have been taken that are innocent and shouldn't be being killed. So, it's horrible," she said.
Criticizing both the US and the West for "not doing enough" to help out civilians, Smith said: "As one of the world powers, I think it's our obligation to make sure that no innocent lives are taken."
Grace Klonoski, 63, said her heart is broken for the people, who have been suffering since Oct. 7.
"I just think it's in this day and age, it is horrible that we have this kind of suffering in the world, and it just absolutely breaks my heart," she said.
Expressing her astonishment that there is still no cease-fire, Klonoski said: "That's unacceptable."
Linda Gerald, 52, for her part said, it is a "tragedy."
"I think that it was extremely, I guess, very devastating event that occurred," she told Anadolu.
Flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7.
In the year since nearly 42,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and more than 97,300 others injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Although international organizations, including the UN, and regional countries urge for a cease-fire in Gaza, the conflict has sparked increased regional tensions across the Middle East, with the latest escalation when Israel attacked Lebanon.