Ceasefire Agreed: What Happens After the Cameras Leave?
Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to a hostage release and ceasefire. Mainstream outlets call this a 'major step towards ending a war' – a war they framed as a sudden eruption, rather than the predictable outcome of decades of blockade, settlement expansion, and constant dehumanization. Remember when Netanyahu promised 'victory' in 2014 after Operation Protective Edge, or in 2008-09's
Operation Cast Lead? How many 'final solutions' does Gaza need? This 'agreement' conveniently ignores the systematic destruction of infrastructure, hospitals, and civilian life, ensuring that even if the bombs stop, the humanitarian crisis – and the underlying occupation – continues. It's a pause in the violence, not a resolution, allowing time for new budgets to be approved, like the $14 billion
in aid pushed through by politicians who, according to OpenSecrets, received significant contributions from lobbying groups such as AIPAC, ensuring the 'war' chest is never truly empty. One might wonder if these agreements are less about peace and more about managing public relations until the next cycle of 'unprovoked' violence.