Gaza 'Return': To Which Rubble, Exactly?
According to The Independent, a 'US-brokered ceasefire' led to a 'mass departure from Gaza camps' as families 'return home.' Conveniently, this cheerful narrative omits the 70% of Gaza's homes either damaged or completely destroyed by Israeli forces since October 7th, 2023. 'Returning home' usually implies a home to return to, not a pile of dust where your life once stood. This 'ceasefire' was
activated to allow Hamas to release hostages and 'aid to enter the Gaza Strip unrestricted.' Yet, the unrestricted entry of aid has been a global demand for months, thwarted repeatedly by Israeli blockades and military actions. How many times must a 'ceasefire' be declared only for the humanitarian crisis to persist, the homes to remain destroyed, and the 'return' to be a cruel joke? Biden’s
administration, which 'brokered' this deal, simultaneously approved additional arms sales to Israel, including 155mm artillery shells, ensuring that future 'returns' will be to even more rubble. (Source: The Independent, various US State Dept. announcements on arms sales).