Siirt University Middle East expert Dr. Mehmet Ali Öncer said the Al-Aqsa Flood operation made the suffering and injustices faced by Palestinians for decades visible to the world, stating that the operation should be understood within the context of a century-long history of oppression.

The Al-Aqsa Flood operation, launched on October 7, 2023, brought the Palestine issue back to the centre of global attention. Following the operation, the heavy bombardment of Gaza, the deaths of thousands of civilians, the destruction of cities and the displacement of millions of people once again revealed the scale of the long-running crisis in Palestine.

Stating that Al-Aqsa Flood should not be evaluated only through the events of October 7, Öncer drew attention to the suffering Palestinians have faced for many years.

"Al-Aqsa Flood is the way Muslims expressed themselves in the face of oppression. For the first time, Palestinians took an open stance against the Zionist entity and, instead of simply waiting like Prophet Omar, chose to respond to the enemy," Öncer said.

"This is not only Palestine's problem"

Emphasizing that Al-Aqsa Flood is not only an issue concerning Palestinians, Öncer said the developments in Palestine concern all Muslims as well as the entire world.

"Of course, this is not only the problem of Palestinians, it is the problem of all Muslims. At the same time, contrary to the general perception, it is not only the problem of Muslims, but the problem of the entire world," he said.

Stating that Zionism's practices against Palestinians concern the whole world, Öncer said, "Because this approach will eventually impose the consequences it has inflicted on Palestinians on people across the world."

"This understanding sees other nations as subordinate"

Referring to what he described as the ideological foundations of Zionism, Öncer said:

"The main source of this movement is the following: 'God chose us and gave other nations to us as servants.' According to this philosophy, there is a perception that all people living in the world have been placed under the authority of Jews, like other creatures. From this perspective, Palestinians are currently the only community in the world standing against this arrogant attitude that Zionists seek to impose on humanity. And they have been resisting this for years."

Drawing attention to the attacks and forced displacement faced by Palestinians, Öncer said the killing of civilians in their own homes and the destruction of their houses demonstrate the scale of the situation.

"They are also showing this to humanity with their lives. We need to understand this from the fact that they are being killed in their own homes and residences, their houses are being destroyed over them and they are being displaced. This Zionist structure does not listen to any human rights," he said.

Öncer warned that the consequences of such policies would not remain limited to Palestine.

"Tomorrow they could also destroy Istanbul, they could bring it down on our heads. They could destroy London over the heads of the British. They could also destroy Berlin over the heads of the Germans. We need to understand this now," he said.

"In short, either the world will be saved through Palestine against a deviant structure, or we will watch the destruction of the entire world begin from Palestine," Öncer added.

"Al-Aqsa Flood was not a random event"

Stating that Al-Aqsa Flood did not emerge suddenly, Öncer said Palestinians have been facing oppression for nearly a century.

"Al-Aqsa Flood is not something accidental. Some people think, 'This happened after Palestinians gave this response, then these things happened.' No, there has been oppression continuing for 100 years," he said.

Reminding that Gaza has been under blockade since 2007, Öncer said the blockade has caused severe consequences for the Palestinian people.

"Since 2007, there has been a blockade. A blockade is an incredible oppression because nothing can enter Palestine without Israel's permission, not even water or bread. We are talking about a community that has been under blockade for nearly 20 years, with nothing allowed to pass through its borders," he said.

"The world's perspective on Palestine changed"

Stating that global perceptions of the Palestine issue changed after Al-Aqsa Flood, Öncer said the developments allowed wider audiences to see what was happening in Palestine.

"People suddenly became aware. Suddenly, people's perspective turned toward the issue in Palestine," he said.

Noting that the actions of the Zionist entity became more visible after the attacks on Gaza, Öncer said, "We have seen how ruthless and oppressive the Zionists are. Because think about it, they do not hesitate to attack children and babies."

Commenting on the targets of the bombardments, Öncer said, "One of the problems is this: Let us look at Israel's bombardments. Which military facility was hit? We always see cities that have been destroyed, demolished and turned into ruins."

"Al-Aqsa Flood showed the world the scale of the crisis"

Stating that Al-Aqsa Flood showed the world the developments in Palestine and the scale of the situation in the region, Öncer said October 7 created a major awareness.

"Al-Aqsa Flood actually showed the world what kind of crisis they are facing," he said.

Saying that developments in Palestine would have continued silently if Al-Aqsa Flood had not occurred, Öncer said:

"If Al-Aqsa Flood had not happened and Palestinians had been dealt with silently, it also showed what they could do in the cities of Europeans and Americans who provide them with this power and support."

Stating that the goals of the Zionist understanding are not limited to Palestine, Öncer said, "They will seek the dominance that God has given in this world in America, Europe and China as well."

Drawing attention to the awareness created by Al-Aqsa Flood worldwide, Öncer concluded:

"I would like to thank those who carried out Al-Aqsa Flood because it gave us this awareness."(ILKHA)