Gaza Following the Ceasefire
Al-Ittihad, UAE, January 27
Speculation on the future of Gaza must contend with two harsh realities: the undue optimism pinned on the current ceasefire and a perilous disregard for the profound human tragedy stemming from the conflict. The true toll far exceeds the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed or injured by Israeli forces.
Israel’s halt in the bombardment of Gaza, while undeniably positive, has provided Palestinians with a much-needed reprieve, a moment to grieve, and, for some, the heartbreaking task of journeying north to survey the devastation of their obliterated neighborhoods and search through the rubble for loved ones. This pause has also facilitated a significant influx of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza and enabled the critically wounded to be transferred to Egypt for medical treatment.
However, the grim reality remains that the ceasefire agreement lacks robustness and any real enforcement mechanism. Six months ago, President Biden unveiled a plan advocating for the agreement of both parties to all three phases from the start. Israeli media reports suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been privately assuring his supporters that his commitment extends only to the initial phase, after which he intends to resume bombing. He also has no plans to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza or permit a Palestinian government there with potential political links to the West Bank.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have opted to overlook Netanyahu’s plans in favor of proclaiming their diplomatic “achievement.” From the outset, Biden has shielded the Israeli leadership, granting Netanyahu carte blanche since October 2023, despite claims of earnestly pursuing a six-month truce. It was apparent the administration understood Netanyahu’s reluctance yet persisted in accusing Hamas of being the primary obstacle while continuing the charade.
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The ceasefire’s limited term was no secret to Biden, who nevertheless sought a “PR win” to close his term. This agreement also offered President Donald Trump a chance to showcase his ability to resolve a long-standing issue, echoing his predecessor’s missteps. The ceasefire’s lifespan hardly matters to Trump, more interested in photo ops and popularity boosts than in enduring peace.
Clearly, neither Israel’s current administration (nor any in the near future) nor the Trump administration (or any successor) harbors genuine interest in a fair conflict resolution. Ignoring the fragile ceasefire, plans for peace, such as initiating an interim government in Gaza, lack authentic Israeli engagement. The United States remains unwilling to press Israel toward necessary peace-advancing measures.
Equally worrying is the fact that wars leave lasting scars long after the ceasefire, their repercussions simmering beneath the surface for years. Israelis and their American allies, having long ignored Palestinian humanity, fail to grasp the devastating long-term impact this war inflicts on its survivors.
The statistics speak volumes: 47,000 dead, 116,000 injured, 33,000 permanently disabled, 50,000 missing, 90% displaced, mostly homeless; 34,000 orphaned children left alone. Clearing Gaza’s wreckage and unexploded ordnance could span two decades, with reconstruction taking even longer. Healing survivors’ psychological scars could take generations.
Bombardment can cease, but the war’s impact will reverberate through generations via trauma, anxiety, depression, and internal violence, leading to self-harm or further aggression. The anguish intensifies as Palestinians witness the shattered remnants of former homes and communities.
During the long process of cleanup and rebuilding, where will these displaced people find refuge? Israel is unlikely to grant clemency to these war survivors. Palestinians fear, justifiably, that departing their homeland means relinquishing all hope of return. Neither the United States nor Israel is ready to offer the counseling and support essential for these victims’ war recovery.
The future looks uncertain, overshadowed by a foreboding bleakness.
James Zogby (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
