Israel-Gaza Conflict

People all over the world, especially Americans, are very aware of the problem going on in Israel and Palestine. However, few of us know what is actually going on and what to believe. I think the following quote I found while doing a bit of research properly reflects how I feel. 

"I am deeply confused: perhaps because, when it comes to Israel and Gaza, some people are not allowed to express their real feelings, and some journalists are prevented from telling us the entire truth." (Source)  

I'm not making this post to write about my opinions on this conflict because frankly, I don't have any. I feel as if I am not able to get the entire picture. Though America plays such a big role in this conflict, few Americans actually know what America is doing (or maybe I'm just speaking for myself lol). A lot of people have their vision curtailed because of familial ties, religious affiliation, etc. and are unable to form an opinion for themselves by actively searching for information. Their knowledge is bound by these ties.

I looked up some statistics on BBC (x) and from this it is very clear that Palestine has suffered thousands of casualties with innocent civilians - men, women, and children alike - are being slaughtered by Israeli soldiers. However, it is also true that Palestine has launched thousands of (ineffective) rockets to Israel. However, from these stats alone, we are not aware of the whole political picture, what this conflict is actually about, and what the "real motives" of each party are. For example, according to BBC, Israel uses the pretense of protecting themselves against a terrorist organization, and to have Israel's right to exist be acknowledged by Palestine, to slaughter innocent civilians. (Like literally dude - you're Israel. Who cares if Palestine thinks you don't deserve to exist?! Or maybe I'm just reading that wrong lol). Also, apparently natural gas was found near the shores of Palestine, so that definitely complicates things. There is all this underlying political stuff and hidden agendas that I feel like people have the right to know, but don't. (Perhaps some people don't want to know as well?)

This war has been going on for decades. So why do so many people suddenly care about this issue now? When thousands of Palestinians were being killed, the world diverted their attention to Michael Jackson's death among many other "first world distractions." So why do people now choose to comment on every single post on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets "#FreePalestine?" Have people finally decided to form an educated opinion after reading countless sources? (Please send me sources I need to read more D: ) Or are they just going with the flow without actually knowing what is going on, like many people tend to do nowadays (not saying I ain't one of them). 

Please, I ain't lookin' for hate. I'm just a deeply confused teenager who doesn't know what to believe. Mass media and our other social affiliations tend to force us to think a certain way, and sorry, I'd rather form my own opinion after doing buttloads of research. K thanks. 

(I'm not incorporating any pictures for viewer discretion...not that we have any viewers anyway lol.)