Red Wedding Warfare: How Israel Turned War Into A Spectacle To Conceal The Gaza Genocide
Image: AFP
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
In June 2025, the Israeli military executed a strike so surgically devastating it borrowed its name from the popular television series, Game of Thrones. It was named the 'Red Wedding' operation, a name inspired by one of the most brutal betrayals in TV history.
Just a brief recap, the Red Wedding was a massacre that occurred in Game of Thrones during the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. Lord Walder Frey orchestrated the event as revenge against Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact that had been forged between the House of Stark and the House of Frey. The guests had their guard down as a result of the wedding celebration, and they were unable to respond decisively to defend themselves against a bloody ambush.
This was the impact that Israel hoped to have on Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he was compelled to attack because Iran was on the verge of building a nuclear weapon. But this excuse is wearing thin. For nearly 30 years, Israel has claimed Iran was 'months away' from a bomb, but there is still no bomb. Meanwhile, Israel holds a nuclear arsenal of its own, which is undeclared, unchecked, and untouched. Both the U.S. intelligence community and the International Atomic Energy Agency have confirmed that Iran is not building nuclear weapons.
What we witnessed was not a genuine call for disarmament, but rather, it was about domination. We have seen this play out before in 2002 when Netanyahu misled the U.S. and the U.K. that Iraq was manufacturing 'weapons of mass destruction' to push Western allies into attacking Iraq. This is the same script, just a different cast.
The Red Wedding was an ambush against key leaders of Iran's military. Over 200 Israeli fighter jets took off quietly, targeting 100 sites inside Iran. The strike eliminated some of Iran's most senior defence officials. Among the dead were General Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guard; Iranian military chief Mohammad Bagheri; and Gholam Ali Rashid from the emergency command. The outcome was devastating. Iran lost several key military leaders within hours. At the same time, they launched Operation Narnia, a parallel mission that killed nine of Iran's leading nuclear scientists.
It was a fast, unexpected, and ruthless attack. Within hours, Iran's nuclear and military elite were shattered, and hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians had been killed. It was swift, cold and calculating. And it was branded like prime-time television.
It is deeply disturbing when a state-sponsored military assault is packaged with a pop culture metaphor, soaked in betrayal and carnage. This demonstrates that for Israel, war is not only a strategy, but also a spectacle. And in the shadow of this 'performance' is the ongoing genocide of Palestinians, whose destruction continues largely untelevised.
The 'Red Wedding strike' and 'Operation Narnia' were not just military operations designed to neutralise threats. The goal was to dominate the narrative by playing on Hollywood-style theatrics. Israel was sending an ominous message: We can strike with impunity, and we will find you in any corner of the world. But more importantly, it was designed to distract from the ongoing state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
To emphasise this, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly views the war between Iran and Israel as 'the perfect war'. This is a reflection that, in his mind, it is the kind of war that captured imaginations, because it presented strength. Note that Trump is not at all concerned with peace or diplomacy, only the entertainment value of destruction.
But this is not entertainment. Real people died. Over 1,100 Iranians were killed and thousands more wounded. And this is not an isolated event; it is part of a long and dangerous pattern of framing militarised violence as bold leadership, and the erasure of its human cost, by disguising it beneath the language of precision and power.
Meanwhile, Gaza continues to bleed, largely off-camera. Since its campaign in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has killed over fifty-six thousand people and uprooted nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people, according to Al Jazeera.
More than 16,750 children have been murdered, and over 1,000 have lost limbs, many amputated without anaesthesia due to Israel's deliberate targeting of Gaza's medical infrastructure. Hospitals have been bombed, and doctors and nurses are targeted by the military and attacked. Aid convoys and food have been blocked from entering. Those who have miraculously survived are slowly starving to death.
The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner issued a report that even if Palestinians can reach food distribution points, the 'Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities'. This is not a tragedy. It is deliberate, systemic, state-sponsored ethnic cleansing. There is an attempt to distract the world's attention by focusing on the 'Red Wedding', a spectacle designed to dominate headlines while war crimes against Palestinians are reduced to background noise.
This kind of selective outrage reveals the machinery beneath global diplomacy. Israeli military aggression toward Iran is applauded, but its sustained violence against Palestinians is ignored and even justified. What we are witnessing is not just hypocrisy; it is complicity.
The global silence on Gaza is not accidental. It is rooted in decades of settler colonial ideology, dehumanisation, and the strategic rebranding of oppression as self-defence. From Washington to Brussels, the narrative is tightly controlled, and platforms like TikTok have joined the censorship regime. Creators documenting the Palestinian crisis face shadow bans or content removal for using words like genocide. To stay visible, activists now spell it as 'g3nocide' or 'g*nocide', a digital code for what many in power refuse to name aloud.
It was Chinese philosopher Confucius who said, 'The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name'. And so those of us who know the truth, and who survived Apartheid in South Africa, must act with courage and call it what it is. It is genocide, erasure and Apartheid. There is no other vocabulary that captures the scale and intent of what is unfolding against Palestinians.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Turkish court jails mayor of opposition-run Adana pending trial as crackdown widens
Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar was detained on Saturday as part of a corruption probe into opposition-run municipalities, which has expanded dramatically from its roots in Istanbul. In March, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, was also jailed pending trial over corruption charges. As part of the widening crackdown, a separate court ruled to put under house arrest, pending trial, the mayor of the southern city of Adiyaman, Abdurrahman Tutdere. The mayor of the district of Manavgat in the southern resort province of Antalya was also jailed pending trial over suspected bribery and corruption charges. The Interior Ministry later said the mayor had been suspended from his duty over the arrest. All the mayors, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), have denied the charges against them. The CHP, some Western countries and rights groups have called the arrests part of a politicised attempt by the government to remove electoral threats against Erdogan. Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, also from the CHP, said after the arrest of Karalar that the mayor's arrest was 'part of different calculations' and not a sound legal process. 'We are not against prosecution. However, we want a fair, independent and unbiased prosecution. Because the law does not bend or twist according to the time or politics,' he said on X. The government denies influencing the judiciary and says the courts operate independently to investigate a ring of corruption at the municipalities.
eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
Kyiv, Moscow residents baffled by Trump's wavers on Ukraine aid
The US President Donald Trump's announcement to send "more weapons" to Ukraine in a U-turn from last week's decision to halt some aid to the war-torn country left residents of Kyiv and Moscow bemused. Moscow first revelled in the move to pause the support -- only to warn on Tuesday that sending arms to Ukraine served to prolong the conflict. In Kyiv, the move to freeze shipments prompted fears for US-made air-defence systems, crucial for shielding Ukraine's cities from Russian daily drone and missile attacks. On Tuesday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's senior advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said Trump's latest move "was expected, as it aligns with the core strategic interests of the United States". But for Kyiv resident Valentyna Minakova, the US president's sudden change of mind was not a reason to rejoice. "He says one thing today and another tomorrow," the 58-year-old told AFP, adding: "We can't count on him at all, absolutely not." "But let's hope that he will give us something. At least what we need for air defence, to protect our civilian population," Minakova, unemployed, said. The sentiment was shared by Vira Tykhonenko, a 50-year-old retail worker. "I'll tell you one thing: I don't trust him. I didn't trust him during his first term, and now even less so," she said. AFP | SERGEY BOBOK "Because everything he says doesn't match his actions," Tyhonenko told AFP. Similar as for student Egor Kyryukhin, Trump's reversal on weapons shipments to Ukraine was too early to celebrate. "I'd wait until he actually delivers them," the 20-year-old told AFP. "Trump makes a lot of statements, different ones," Kyryukhin said. - 'He's crazy' - In Moscow, many residents AFP spoke to also shrugged away Trump's latest statements on Ukraine. "This person is mentally unstable, in my opinion," said Ekaterina, a 56-year-old Russian teacher who declined to give her full name. Trump "makes impulsive decisions, and this harms the whole world and prolongs the situation, leads it to a dead end," she added, echoing earlier statements from the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian state media, said it was "obvious of course that these actions probably do not align with attempts to promote a peaceful resolution." For 23-year-old Mikhail, who works in marketing, Trump's decisions "delay the end" of the over three-year conflict. "I think nothing will change. In general, he's crazy... That's why it neither disappointed me nor surprised me," he told AFP. "I don't know at all when it will all end," Mikhail added. "It was supposed to be three days, but it's been going on for three years." burs/asy/giv
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
US tariffs threaten South African jobs, warns Cosatu
Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks, on Tuesday said Cosatu is deeply concerned about the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, because it will have a devastating impact on the economy that has been languishing at 1% growth rate and a shockingly high unemployment rate of 43.1% Image: AFP South Africa is facing a looming economic crisis following the United States' announcement of a sweeping 30% tariff on its exports - a move that has sparked widespread concern among trade unions, political leaders, and business analysts. Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks, on Tuesday said Cosatu is deeply concerned about the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, because it will have a devastating impact on the economy that has been languishing at 1% growth rate and a shockingly high unemployment rate of 43.1%,. Sectors that will be hard hit include the automotive, agriculture, clothing, chemical and jewelery. "Worryingly, the impact of the impending tariff is already being felt in the Eastern Cape with 900 jobs on the line at Good Year SA and Mercedes Benz "temporarily" shutting down its vehicle production," it said. Cosatu said it is clear more engagement with the US government is required is find alternatives that will be beneficial for jobs and businesses in both countries. "It is also critical that South Africa works to expand relations with other trading partners to mitigate reliance on the US," it said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Cosatu said it supports Department of Trade, Industry and Competition engagements with the US government to put in place a new trade agreement that is favourable to both nations and in particular workers. "We hope the US Congress will renew Agoa (African Growth and Opportunity Act) as this would help ensure continued favourable access to South African and African exports to the US markets," it said. It further said that it was key that the UIF's TERS administrative challenges be urgently addressed to offer affected companies support while they put in place plans to manage this potential calamity. John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, said while not explicit, the announcement would signal the end of the Agoa which gives South Africa duty-free access to the US for more than 6 000 products, including goods in the automobiles, agriculture and textile industries. He said thousands of farmers, manufacturers and workers jobs are now at risk. Billions of rands will be lost in export revenue, making this a crippling blow to the economy. Meanwhile, Andrew Bahlmann, the CEO of Corporate & Advisory, Deal Leaders International, warned the imposition of a sweeping 30% tariff by the United States on "any and all South African products," effective August 1, represents a seismic shift with profound implications for Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into South Africa. Bahlmann said, "This unilateral move, ostensibly aimed at correcting a perceived trade imbalance, fundamentally alters the economic calculus for both existing and prospective investors." Firstly, Bahlmann said, the tariffs act as a significant disincentive for FDI into South Africa. "Why would a foreign entity establish or expand manufacturing operations in South Africa if a crucial export market like the US is subject to a prohibitive 30% penalty?," he said, adding that this directly undermines South Africa's attractiveness as a production hub for goods destined for the American consumer. He said President Donald Trump's explicit offer of "There will be no tariff if South Africa, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture product[s] within the United States" was a clear directive to redirect FDI away from South Africa and other countries into the US, potentially leading to capital flight or a re-evaluation of global supply chains. Secondly, Bahlmann said the tariffs will undoubtedly chill M&A activity within South Africa. Companies heavily reliant on US exports, particularly in sectors like automotive and agriculture (already flagged for devastating job losses), become less appealing acquisition targets. Their revenue streams are now threatened, and their valuations will likely decrease, making them less attractive for foreign buyers seeking growth or market access. This increased uncertainty and reduced profitability will likely lead to a slowdown in deal-making as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach or seek opportunities in less volatile markets. "This environment of heightened trade friction and perceived governmental unpreparedness creates an unfavourable climate for long-term capital commitments, impacting both greenfield FDI and strategic M&A. While calls for diversification are valid, building new trade relationships and industrial resilience is a long-term endeavour that cannot immediately offset the impact on established export channels," he said. Despite these significant headwinds, Bahlmann said the South African market, with its inherent value, diverse sectors and resilient businesses, continues to present compelling M&A opportunities for discerning foreign investors. "While the landscape is undoubtedly more complex, it is precisely in such times of disruption that strategic advantages can be forged," he said. BUSINESS REPORT
