Ceasefires are commonly perceived as opportunities for settling disputes and turning over a
new leaf but unfortunately this is not the case in Gaza. Here, we see the same cassette
repeating itself every time: bloodshed, destruction and broken promises followed by a truce and a ray of hope. This hope is shattered and the cycle repeats itself, causing pain to different people each time.
After 11 nights of terror, the streets of Gaza were bathed in hues of green, red, white and black. Palestinians had the opportunity to sleep well, with no fear for their lives, under a calm sky as a ceasefire was put into effect in the early hours of Friday, 21st of May. Bombardment from the Israeli Government, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority killed 232 civilians in Palestine and 12 civilians in Israel. Both sides claim victory for this; Hamas declares it has protected the interests and the safety of their fellow Palestinians whereas Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claims crucial and noteworthy military and political achievements. Taking into consideration the previous violations made of ceasefires, we too, doubt the duration for this fragile truce. Some Israeli citizens have betted that this agreement will not last more than 8 hours. It is therefore difficult for the international community to accept that this ceasefire will persist,thus raising the need for a more substantial agreement to resolve the tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.
Although this ceasefire is no doubt a moment of celebration for the Palestinians, the real
question is whether it will guarantee peace for them. For example, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire of 2008, which barely lasted 7 months, ultimately led to the 2008-2009 Gaza conflict. Even during the ceasefire, Israel actively violated its conditions. For instance, it did not ease the blockade which it had imposed on Gaza and furthermore, prevented the UNRWA, the UN's refugee agency for Palestinians, from replenishing Gaza's resources and stores.
In order to truly understand the gravity of the situation, one must put themselves into the shoes of a Palestinian. Imagine if your neighbour locks you inside your own house and slowly blocks your food and water supplies. On top of that, they begin to capture small parts of your house for their own use. More importantly, any attempt you make to fight for your home is not only misunderstood but misconstrued as terrorism. Eventually, other neighbours who support you and help you reclaim your home are also criticised and threatened. Would you silence your voice or redouble your efforts for justice? If not, why are Palestinians continuously subjected to oppression?
The existence of a ceasefire does not negate the fact that Gaza has been left in ruins, and
Netanyahu prides in how Israeli bombardment has set back Gaza's military infrastructure for
many years. Gaza, which had already never really recovered from the last war in 2014, which
killed 2,251 Palestinians and 73 Israelis, now has more devastation added to its present state,
and if the international communities do not take appropriate action, devastation will become its fate.
Presently, the agricultural, industrial, sanitation, housing, and electric sectors in Gaza are but a few areas that have been reduced to ashes due to Israel's bombing. In comparison, the delivery of fuel in Israel has been delayed as tankers had to redirect their paths due to rocket launches from Gaza.
Besides material damage, which with foreign aid and investment can be rectified, there was an unparalleled amount of irreplaceable loss. Families were ripped apart, livelihoods lost, loved ones murdered, some left in fatal, chronic conditions, some saw their loved ones slaughtered in front of their eyes, the only thing left with them now is their trauma that they will always carry with them wherever they go. We do not know where this ceasefire will lead, whether history will repeat itself and spark another conflict following a truce or if for once, there will be peace between Hamas and Israel.
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