Reflections on scenes after Gaza ceasefire

Reflections on scenes after Gaza ceasefire

By: Mohammed Lahlal

After fifteen months of systematic genocide and devastation the Z–ionist warmongers afflicted on the highly populated besieged Gaza strip, and due to the fierce resistance of Palestinians who are more determined to continue fighting and causing more human losses among the aggressors, the occupation power backed by the US administration had to acquiesce in implementing a protracted negotiated ceasefire. The deal consisted of phasing the enemy’s withdrawal from Gaza strip, swap of prisoners, and allowing the flow of humanitarian aid into the devastated Gaza. On day one of the ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza showed up in the middle of rubbles and destruction to express their relief and reiterate their support to the victorious Palestinian resistance despite the huge number of martyrs they have sustained. To be a martyr in the language of Palestinians is the dearest wish one can aspire. In this article I will highlight specific scenes after the ceasefire and reflect on their significance in a world that worships material power and tries to eclipse the real power of resistance in asymmetric wars.

Resistance parade

Contrary to the widely amplified narrative of the resistance waning capabilities usually diffused by the enemy’s media and their western allies, the resistance military parade during the prisoner swap operation sends a message to the occupation that their determination to keep fighting has not been undermined and that they struggle for a just cause whatever sacrifices. The enemy’s media was shocked at such scenes of pride and defiance and began to question their so-called achievements and whether it was worth all human losses they sustained during the war. Al-Q–assam brigades in their military uniforms, carrying their weapons emerge from the rubbles to reaffirm their commitment to defend their lands and people whatever it takes and the matter of exterminating the resistance is sheer illusion.

Unshakable popular support

In no instance do we observe the change of Palestinians’ unequivocal support to the resistance despite the horrors they have been through and scenes of apocalyptic devastation. People of Palestine are more aware of the stakes, they are engaged in a war of liberation and survival against an enemy who does not shy away from claiming its intent to obliterate them or at least keep them in a big prison camp. During the exchange of prisoners, people surrounding the men of resistance are mostly young who see their soldiers as role models and a source of dignity and inspiration. The enemy tried hard to break this image among the civilian population, but in vain. For the young, resistance is their ultimate hope for freedom after years of disillusionment and frustration over peaceful negotiations to win their autonomy, unfortunately headed by a clique of Palestinian negotiators who give precedence to their own political and personal interests rather than show genuine political resistance.

High human standards

Observers have been impressed by the high ethical standards by which Is–raeli prisoners were treated. Once freed, they were thankful for how the resistance cared to keep them alive against the random carpet bombarding of Gaza areas by the Israeli army which at times meant to kill the prisoners. And just look at the prisoners’ physical and mental health to give you an idea about the Islamic standards in treating the captives. In contrast, Palestinian prisoners once released, report how much suffering they had been through in Israeli jails, especially after 7th October. They were tortured, deprived of basic needs and constantly humiliated out of revenge and hatred. Even the prisoners’ families were threatened not to celebrate the freedom of their loved ones. This shows how cruel and inhumane the occupation is and also debunk the rhetoric of their respect for human rights and standards of morality.

We are here to stay

The long march of return to the devastated north of Gaza is stark expression of the Palestinians’ refusal of forced deportation the Israeli policy-makers and their western allies have been planning to carry out to end the resistance and change the power balance in the middle east in favor of Israeli hegemony. Palestinians have learned the lesson, the 1948 mass deportation will never happen again despite the hard difficulties they face to choose the option of holding to their lands rather than seeking an alternative. The attempts of the new American administration to impose deportation to Egypt and Jordan has been widely rejected, but will the Arab leaders submit to the US pressure? What is certain is that the generation of resistance will undoubtedly foil all the schemes that target their very existence and dignity. These are people of faith, deep inside their souls and minds freedom is a matter of life or death.