One Year after the Gaza ceasefire, the world must confront an unbearable contradiction: a ceasefire cannot become a facade behind which killing, destruction, hunger, and displacement continue.
Reports of continuing Israeli strikes during the truce show how fragile the ceasefire remains. Reuters reported that Palestinians were still being killed in Israeli strikes after the ceasefire began.
Humanitarian access is another devastating test. The ceasefire agreement called for 600 aid trucks entering Gaza each day, yet the International Crisis Group reports that available evidence suggests the target has not been consistently met. Data cited by the International Peace Institute put the July-August average at only 69 trucks per day.
Muhammad Shehada warns that Netanyahu is using Gaza’s destruction and settler violence in the West Bank as part of his political campaign, while promising to “finish the job” if reelected. Netanyahu has also continued insisting that Israel will not withdraw before Hamas disarms.
Meanwhile, settler violence continues to threaten Palestinians in the West Bank.
This cannot be called lasting peace. A genuine ceasefire must mean an end to attacks, unrestricted humanitarian access, protection of civilians, accountability for abuses, and a credible political future for Palestinians and Israelis.
America must demand that the word “ceasefire” mean what it says. Human lives cannot be sacrificed while politicians buy more time.
No comments:
Post a Comment