Media around the world have been reporting some very conflicting stories on Gaza’s cease fire. Some referred to it as the winning of Hamas. Some say that it is the Israelis that have won. By right, there is no winner, just a temporary cease fire.
The Economist had the story almost right for calling it as ‘A War Without Winners’. The only problem with their story is that it was never a war. It was murder - a massacre. There was no soldier involved, only terrorists and innocent people. Even in real war, there is never a real winner.
For 50 days, the Israelis had killed a total of 2,168 people of which 76.6% of them were civilians. From the number, almost 50% of them are women and children. 10,895 more were wounded, of which 30% are children and 19.3% women.
On the last day of the Israeli offensive and few hours before ceasefire: 11 Palestinians, 5 of whom are civilians, including 2 children, killed and 55 others, including 14 children and 12 women, wounded.
The Israelis had spent millions of their budget on the most sophisticated weapons, just to kill women and children.
Today, as the Palestinians claim victory over the cease fire decision, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu is facing a bout of political turbulence and public skepticism.
Despite his cabinet’s announcement of ‘a great military accomplishment and great diplomatic achievement’ as well as the claim of having destroyed the Hamas’ tunnel system, the people of Israel are not convinced.
A survey by Israel’s Channel Two found that 59% of those questioned did not agree that Israel had won against Hamas, while the poll for Haaretz found that 54% of people thought there was no winner, around a quarter said Israel had won, and 16% thought Hamas had won.
The Haaretz also reported as follows: “A former director of Israel's Shin Bet security service, Yuval Diskin, said the war's results "were disappointing and were accompanied by what some have described as a sense of sourness". Writing in Yedioth Ahronoth, he added: "The ceasefire that was achieved with Hamas has left the Israeli public frustrated."”
It seems that the Israelis are frustrated that Netanyahu did not go through with the wiping out of the Palestinians down to the very last blood. It never at all bothered them that they are killing the innocent civilians.
Under the Egyptian-brokered deal, Israel is to ease imports into Gaza, including aid and material for reconstruction. It also agreed to a largely symbolic gesture, expanding a fishing zone for Gaza fishermen from three to six nautical miles into the Mediterranean.
However, with the political pressure now mounting, Netanyahu might just need to play ‘tough’ and break the deal. After all, that’s what the Israelis are known for - they think they are not subjected to any moral values set by humans.
The ceasefire does not end the conflict and the world must not forget Palestine just because the bombing has stopped. The conflict will never end as long as the Israelis are occupying the Palestinian land.
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