Gaza bleeds, again

Israeli aggression and the world community

Gaza – that unfortunately troubled piece of land – somehow seems unable to keep out of the news. Under a blockade, which by all standards contradicts all canons of international law, since the Hamas government came into power in the Palestinian territory in 2006, Gaza has seen two major military offensives – one in 2008 that left more than 1,300 Palestinians dead and the one that started five days ago and has so far caused more than 55 casualties – and discretionary air strikes against not only major government infrastructure and officials but also against the civilians. The current offensive, already into its fifth day, is another naked aggression by the Israeli authorities against the people in a disputed area, and a recognised government, making it an act of war and aggression by all definitions.

Instead of winding up the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said on Sunday that Israel’s armed forces were ready to “significantly expand” their operation against militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, thus offering a preview to what the Jewish state has in mind. But perhaps he has forgotten that peace brought through the barrel of a gun, or by bombs dropped off of fighter jets and tanks blasting off civilian infrastructure, could never be called peace, at best it is subjugation, oppression and aggression while at worst it is massacre and elimination of a race, much of which is totally uncalled for as the area in dispute lacks trained and organised army, and the resources and equipment to pose any significant threat.

Hamas’ being de facto in power, admittedly, creates some difficulties but not the type that should lead to such a horrifying condition. The role of Egypt and Syria in the conflict complicates matters even more. Israel accuses Egypt of supporting and providing material aid to Hamas militants who then launch rocket attacks on the Israeli side of the border. Egypt, in protest, has recalled its ambassador from Israel and sent its prime minister to Gaza as a show of solidarity. For Hamas, the assassination of Ahmed Jabari, its military chief, in a drone strike by the Israeli forces was probably a devastating blow, and the start of this new Gaza crisis.

It is a shameful blot on the conscious of the world that this state terrorism has been allowed to continue for far too long. But then again, what have they ever done since the Palestinian issue took birth other than cowering down before the Jewish economic and political clout, giving it a tacit, and sometimes explicit, approval to continue its barbaric activities under the garb of a victim card?

As a ‘long-term arrangement’, Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says, “The first and absolute condition for a truce is stopping all fire from Gaza”. The condition seems reasonable if it is also reciprocated with an end to the offensive by the Israeli Defence Forces and lifting of the blockade that has brought the populace in Gaza Strip in tatters. Not doing so would only make Israel look like a bad guy, as in the words of British Foreign Secretary William Hague, “A ground invasion of the Gaza Strip would lose Israel much international sympathy and support.”