LOS ANGELES, Oct 29, (Agencies): Bella Hadid, the US-Dutch-Palestinian supermodel, has publicly addressed the Israel-Gaza conflict, marking her first commentary on the matter. Hadid, known for her unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, took to Instagram to express her thoughts, accompanied by a heartfelt message that began with an apology for her previous silence.

In her Instagram post, she reflected on the past two weeks, a period of intense conflict that once again drew global attention to a situation that has been ongoing for decades, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the perpetual suffering of Palestinian families. Hadid expressed her struggle to find the right words to convey her feelings and experiences during this trying time but decided to keep her message concise for the moment.

In her post, Hadid revealed that her personal phone number had been exposed, leading to a barrage of daily death threats. She confessed to feeling that her family's safety was compromised. Despite these challenges, she made it clear that she could no longer remain silent. Hadid emphasized that fear was not an option, and she underscored the urgency of raising awareness about the plight of the people of Palestine, particularly in Gaza. She acknowledged the immense bravery demonstrated by the Palestinians and their children.

Hadid shared her deep sense of pain at witnessing the trauma unfolding in Gaza, and she expressed empathy for the mothers who have lost children, the children who cry alone, and the countless family members who mourn the loss of loved ones. She extended her condolences to Israeli families who have been impacted by recent events.

Moreover, Hadid strongly condemned all acts of terrorism against civilians, emphasizing that harming women and children and instilling fear does not align with the goals of the Free Palestine movement. She asserted her belief that no child or person, regardless of their nationality, should be forcibly separated from their family, even temporarily. Hadid underscored the importance of recognizing the hardships faced by Palestinians in a world that often stigmatizes them as terrorists opposed to peace, highlighting the injustice of such categorizations.

The supermodel also shared her family's history, noting that her father, real estate mogul Mohamed Hadid, was born in Nazareth during the Nakba, a period of forced displacement and exile for Palestinians. Hadid's family was among those expelled from their Palestinian home, and they became refugees. Her family's experience has been marked by 75 years of violence against Palestinian people, including brutal settler invasions that led to the destruction of communities, senseless killings, and the forced eviction of families from their homes.

Hadid emphasized the ongoing issue of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, a practice that continues to this day, causing immeasurable pain and suffering.

In conclusion, Bella Hadid called for unity in defending humanity, compassion, and the demand for leaders to uphold peace. She stressed that all religions advocate peace and that governments are often responsible for corruption and misrepresenting faith. She emphasized that all human lives should be mourned and respected equally, regardless of their background. Hadid made a heartfelt plea for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza, where access to essentials like water, food, and medical care is urgently required.

She urged that international laws governing conflict be upheld and that political pressure be exerted to ensure that the innocent Palestinian civilians do not become forgotten casualties of this war. She affirmed her solidarity with all of humanity, emphasizing that peace and safety are universal aspirations.

In addition to her message, Bella Hadid shared a video on her Instagram featuring a woman wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh while singing Lorde's "Team." The video included edited clips of Palestine before and after the conflict, underscoring the impact of recent events on the region.