It is all too easy to get caught up in the politics surrounding the war between Israel and Hamas. But sometimes, a singular tragic event serves as a sobering reminder that war is not only an occurrence that plays out on the news tickers. This point was driven home on Friday, when former Rep. Justin Amash revealed how the war struck home for him and his family.

In a post on social media, Amash announced that several members of his family were killed when an Israeli airstrike inadvertently damaged Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in the Gaza Strip.

I was really worried about this. 😔 With great sadness, I have now confirmed that several of my relatives (including Viola and Yara pictured here) were killed at Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza, where they had been sheltering, when part of the complex was destroyed as… pic.twitter.com/w5k1xEeTgF

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) October 20, 2023

Amash’s post reflects not only a tale of personal sorrow but also highlights the nightmare that civilians are facing on both sides of the conflict, and reminds us of the human toll it is taking on those caught in the crossfire and those deliberately targeted.

His relatives were in the church complex in the first place because they were seeking sanctuary from the horrors of the war, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched an assault on Israel, killing over 1,000 Israelis, most of whom were civilians.

When news emerged of Israel’s strike, which was intended for a building near the church, various media outlets were quick to spin the tragedy to smear Israel. Some implied that the church was destroyed – which turned out later to be untrue. The facility was damaged, but the church itself sustained minor damage — none of which erases the tragedy that lives were lost.

Amash’s post also highlights the plight of Palestinian Christians, an often-overlooked minority in the war. His words remind the world that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is typically framed as involving Judaism and Islam. But there are other religious communities that are being affected.

It is always tempting to view these conflicts through the lens of politics. The numbers and data, while necessary, often desensitize us to the individual suffering that pervades these conflicts. For many, it is more than just moves on a geopolitical chessboard; it’s a deeply personal tragedy. The suffering Amash’s family is going through shows how war comes at a high cost.

People on both sides have debated the war and the overall conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, which has persisted for more than five decades. There is much finger-pointing happening on the airwaves and interwebs. But Amash’s unfortunate news should also serve to remind us of why war is so terrible in the first place. Perhaps stories like this can move us closer to finding a peaceful solution and prevent future disasters such as this in the future. While the situation seems bleak, if we can reach a place where we focus more on humanity than politics, there could be hope for a light at the end of this grim tunnel.

Editor's Note: This article was edited post-publication for clarity.