Ceasefire in Gaza?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Ceasefires in Gaza come and go. They’re followed by repeated Israeli instigated violence and naked aggression.
It’s been the pattern of the last decade in the Strip, along with Israeli policy throughout its history against Palestinians and regional countries.
Nothing suggests a change of policy under the most extremist regime in Israeli history. Netanyahu exceeds the worst of Sharonian evil.
It’s just a matter of time before violence flares up again – maybe overnight or in days, every Friday against peaceful Great March of Return demonstrators.
Since March 30, over 220 Palestinians were murdered in cold blood, more than 24,000 wounded, many seriously.
After a lengthy Tuesday Netanyahu regime security cabinet meeting, a statement by members said they reserve the right to act, adding:
“The political-security cabinet discussed events in the south. The cabinet heard reports from the IDF and security sources about the attacks and the widespread actions against the terrorist elements (sic) in Gaza, and instructed the IDF to continue its operations as necessary.”
Reportedly, UN and Egyptian officials will visit Gaza on Wednesday. Hamas and other Gazan factions agreed to observe a ceasefire at the request of the world body and Cairo – provided Israel cease terror-bombing and shelling.
Al Jazeera said a truce was agreed on “to restart the situation that prevailed up until this latest military escalation,” adding:
“The Israelis do not confirm or deny such things, but Israeli media are reporting, citing an unnamed official, that Palestinian factions tried through four separate mediators to request a ceasefire.”
“A statement by the Gaza groups said: ‘Egypt’s efforts have been able to achieve a ceasefire between the resistance and the Zionist enemy.’ ”
“The resistance will respect this declaration as long as the Zionist enemy respects it.”
Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniya said “(s)hould the Occupation stop its aggression, a return to the ceasefire understandings will be possible.”
The Palestinian Shebab news agency said IDF warplanes terror-bombed civilian targets, including the Al-Aqsa TV channel, Al-Amal hotel, residential homes, and other civilian buildings.
Chances for the ceasefire and likely others ahead to hold are virtually zero. Peace and stability in the Occupied Territories and region defeat US and Israeli interests – why wars rage endlessly, both countries partnering in ones they wage.
Columnist Gideon Levy correctly said Netanyahu won’t end blockade conditions on Gaza. “(S)o as long as it continues, we will, again and again, witness one violent action leading to another violent act” – the way it’s been for the past decade in the Strip.
Hamas and other Palestinians deplore war. Israel features them. Rhetoric claiming opposition to conflicts is fabricated.
Israel’s belligerent history throughout its existence belies claims about a peace-loving nation.
Like America, Israel is a warrior state, permanently at war on Palestinians, wanting all sovereign independent regional governments forcefully toppled.
It’s just a matter of time before Israel again instigates violence against Gazans. A fourth war on the Strip is likely whenever the Netanyahu regime or its successor choses to preemptively launch it.
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
