‘We Are No Less Human Than Ukrainians’: Gazan Journalist’s Message To Metsola And Maltese Government
Despite one of the deadliest military campaigns in recent history unfolding in Gaza, much of the West’s response – including Malta’s – has remained muted, diplomatic, and careful.
Politics, alliances, and strategic interests have often dictated how leaders react to war crimes and humanitarian crises. With Russia framed as a direct threat to Western democracy and Israel seen as a long-standing ally of the United States, the contrast in condemnation has grown stark.
But behind the headlines and geopolitical calculations are real people – families, children, journalists – living through unimaginable horror.
Lovin Malta spoke with Mohammed Quqa – a Gazan journalist working for the enclave’s largest daily newspaper. He shared the devastating reality of daily life in Gaza – and directed a powerful message to Malta’s top political leaders.
“We are no less human”
Mohammed began his message to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola with a question: “Imagine you had a dear friend living in Gaza—how would you feel?”
“If you truly cared, you’d be deeply worried. I’m certain your first thought would be to rescue them and evacuate them to safety—most likely outside Gaza, because the painful truth is: there is no safe place here.”
“We live in a land of destruction and bloodshed, where killing is relentless, food is scarce, and survival has become a distant dream. All I ask is that you intensify efforts to stop this bloodshed. This is my most urgent plea—above all else,” he continued.
“The loss of a single innocent life should shake the human conscience and undermine justice, freedom, and dignity. The people of Gaza are not numbers—each has dreams, ambitions, and hopes for a future of peace and dignity.”
“We are no less human than a Ukrainian suffering under war. We simply ask for the same empathy and dignity.”
Metsola has faced criticism for responding far more strongly to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine than to Israel’s ongoing assaults on Gaza.
This is not to say that Metsola has said nothing; she has condemned illegal settlements, called for a two-state solution, pointed out the humanitarian and visited the enclave. However, she like many European leaders, falls short of reacting proportionally, consistently and with urges of direct action – like sanctions.
“Recognising the State of Palestine should have happened long ago”
Mohammed’s plea to the Maltese government was to fulfill a pledge it made back in March 2024: that it would recognise Palestine “when the time is right”.
Over a year later, Prime Minister Robert Abela still refuses to do what he promised.
“The recognition of the State of Palestine should have occurred long ago, as the Palestinian people have endured immense suffering under occupation, displacement, and homelessness. After all they have witnessed — wars, massacres, and devastation, particularly in Gaza — the time has come to grant them a sovereign state where they can live freely and with dignity, like all other nations of the world, without occupation, barriers, or walls,” Mohammed explained.
He went on to share that he hopes that the Maltese government responds to the calls of public opinion and the voices of local civil society organisations by recognising the State of Palestine on the full borders of 1967.
This means the Palestinian state would constitute approximately 22% of the historic Palestine, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
“You must not yield to Israeli pressures aimed at preventing you from taking this courageous step; rather, we hope you will follow the example set by European governments that have already recognized Palestine,” Mohammed said, referring to countries like Norway, Ireland and Spain.
“Your recognition of Palestine would be a principled stand alongside oppressed peoples and a clear expression of your rejection of injustice and the violations of human rights endured by Palestinians. Through this action, you would offer hope to advocates of peace, justice, and fairness, and help strengthen their cause while narrowing the space for those who oppose these values.”
The EU’s “double standards”
Mohammed went on to comment on the European Union’s response to the last 577 days of airstrikes and border blockades, saying that as a bloc, the EU “has much more to do”.
He acknowledged that some member states have taken “commendable” positions but this has not been a unified stance taken by the whole of the union.
“It has powerful leverage that could force Israel to stop its war of extermination and respect international humanitarian law – which prohibits targeting civilians,” Mohammed said.
“Sadly, the EU continues to apply double standards when it comes to Israel. It mostly sticks to issuing condemnations without taking meaningful action or imposing sanctions that could halt the massacres or hold perpetrators accountable.”
“The contrast is stark—especially when comparing its lukewarm response to Israel’s aggression in Gaza with its swift, decisive sanctions against Russia from the first day of its war on Ukraine.”
Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s ridiculous but terrifying statements regarding Gaza, Mohammed pointed out that, as leader of the most powerful country in the world and Israel’s primary backer, Trump’s statements “ act as a green light for extremist Israeli plans to forcibly displace Palestinians and resettle them in neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, as openly declared.”
“These statements are not just political bias – they violate international law, which prohibits seizing territory by force.”
“People in Gaza are starving”
Throughout the interview, Mohammed reiterated that Israel’s blockade caused horrific famine. Aid has not been allowed to enter the enclave for the last two months and everyone in Gaza has been left to starve.
“Before writing these lines, a friend called me asking if I could provide just one kilogram of flour so he could bake bread and feed his children. This is a living example of the hunger thousands are facing here, after food supplies have run out from homes and markets.”
Speaking on the Conscience – a vessel carrying the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition intended to deliver aid to Gaza – which was allegedly hit by a drone off the coast of Malta, Mohammed stated that it would be no surprise if Israel were to be behind disabling the ship: “It wants to keep Gaza as a large prison, isolated from the outside world.”
“The attempt by activists and supporters from around the world to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip by sea is a symbolic step, yet it carries deep meaning for the besieged population of Gaza, as it shows them that many free people and nations stand in solidarity with them.”
He appealed to the government of Malta to repair the boat and facilitate a safe voyage for the activists on board toward Gaza.
“The aid they are carrying poses no security threat to Israel but represents a drop in the ocean of the population’s urgent needs – especially the children, thousands of whom are now suffering from severe malnutrition due to the lack of basic food supplies, as Israel has continued to block the entry of aid into Gaza since 2nd March, 2025.”
The Maltese government has since pledged to repair the vessel although reportedly rejected having an FFC representative on board to assure transparency.
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