Hamas Returns Body, Netanyahu Cries Ceasefire Violation, Again
Hamas hands over a hostage's body, fulfilling part of an agreement, yet Netanyahu's office immediately spins it as a 'ceasefire violation' due to delay. The AP notes the 'fragile ceasefire' has held 'despite Israeli strikes on Gaza, mounting Palestinian casualties,' which is an interesting definition of 'holding.' This follows a familiar pattern: Netanyahu declared the 2014 ceasefire violated over
rocket fire after an Israeli incursion, and the 2018 truce was broken by Israeli assassinations. The current 'two-year offensive' mentioned by AP conveniently glosses over the fact that Hamas is searching through rubble caused by that very offensive. One might wonder at what point 'delay' becomes a violation, but disproportionate military actions are simply 'defense.' Critics argue this selective
outrage raises questions about good-faith negotiations or just manufacturing pretexts for continued operations. How many 'violations' by the occupied party are required before the occupier gets to ignore all agreements entirely?