To Speak While Others are Silenced: Ethical Witnessing in Gaza under Genocidal Violence

Abstract Armed conflict increasingly targets civilian populations and infrastructures, producing not only immediate destruction but also enduring social, psychological, and ethical consequences. Gaza represents a critical case of sustained violence, where civilians live under conditions of repeated bombardment, displacement, and structural deprivation. While research has documented the psychological impact of war, less attention has been paid to how survivors understand the ethical dimensions of witnessing during ongoing violence. This study examines how individuals in Gaza interpret the responsibilities, tensions, and dilemmas associated with speaking about their experiences. Grounded in a phenomenological and critical framework, the study draws on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 30 civilians. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings show that witnessing is not a neutral act of narration but an ethically complex and emotionally demanding practice. Six interrelated themes were identified, including moral responsibility toward the dead, fear of misinterpretation, and exhaustion from repeated narration. Testimony emerges as shaped by responsibility, circulation risks, and cumulative burden. The study highlights witnessing as a relational and ethically contested practice embedded in ongoing violence.