When rumors of a ceasefire began circulating in October, it felt like a distant dream. We clung to any thread of hope, even though deep down we were afraid to believe it. For two years, we were used to hearing about “ceasefires” that never lasted.
When the announcement was finally made, the streets erupted with cheers and cheers. But fear crept into my heart that this calm was just a pause before the next attack.
My concerns were justified. Daily deadly attacks by Israel continue. More than 400 people have been killed by the country’s military so far. Many others died in the circumstances caused by Israel’s destruction of the Strip.
However, global attention began to decline. In November, I noticed that interest in what I wrote about Gaza, whether on social media or in the press, was beginning to decline. This was also observed by other Palestinian journalists and writers. Global interest waned as the world’s citizens easily believed that the war was over.
It has become clear to me that the real purpose of a ceasefire is not to stop violence and death, nor to protect people or limit bloodshed and carnage. The real goal was to stop the world from talking about Gaza, about the crimes being committed there, and about the daily suffering of its people.
Gaza is now almost invisible as other news and other “hotspots” have captured the attention of the world’s media.
Meanwhile, mass deaths continue.
On October 28, more than two weeks after the ceasefire was announced, the Israeli military carried out a massive bombing raid that killed 104 people. The overwhelming fear for the future and loved ones returned.
On November 20th, Israel came close to my heart. Israeli forces attacked the Abu Shawish family’s home in the Nuseyrat refugee camp in central Gaza. My friend Batur Abu Shawish lost his entire family. and her sisters Habiba (11 years old) and Tima (16 years old). her brothers Youssef (14 years old) and Mohamed (18 years old); Mother Sahar (43 years old) and father Rami (50 years old). They were massacred even though their families had no political affiliation. They were all civilians. Batur must now face the genocide alone.
Israeli attacks continue, as do mass deaths by other means such as collapsed buildings, unexploded bombs, flooding, hypothermia, starvation, and disease, all of which are products of Israel’s genocidal strategy. We continue to suffer without adequate shelter, food, heat, electricity and drinking water.
The situation is so bad that people are dying in the winter itself.
Another storm has just arrived. The tent flooded and was blown away again. Alaa Juha, 30, died when she was hit by a falling wall due to rain. Two-month-old baby Alkan Mousle died of hypothermia. A total of 15 people have died due to this month’s cold snap. My family’s tent flooded again. It’s hard to explain the overwhelming feeling of helplessness when you can’t find any escape from the water and freezing cold.
Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement, not only by carrying out attacks, but also by refusing to comply with its obligations to allow a negotiated number of aid trucks and a full supply of necessary medical supplies, tents, shelter materials, and mobile homes.
Israel also restricts access to international organizations seeking to provide some relief to Gaza residents. The new rules make it difficult for NGOs, including those as large as Save the Children, to register. This, combined with Israel’s continued refusal of requests for assistance from NGOs, is hampering international efforts to provide us with any relief.
Meanwhile, Palestinian organizations trying to alleviate our suffering are facing a decline in donations. For example, the Samir Project, a donation-based initiative that provides material support to poor families and students, lost many individual donors and supporters after the ceasefire was announced. Dr. Ezzedine Al Lulu, director of the project, admitted to me that the reduced flow of donations is hampering their ability to provide essential support.
Israel also remains closed to its Rafah border. There is no opportunity to travel outside unless you pay exorbitant amounts of money to Israeli-related war profiteers and agree to never return. More than 16,000 people in urgent need of medical evacuation have been prevented by Israel from leaving the country. More than 1,000 people died waiting for permission to leave.
Gaza has entered a new phase of genocide. Low-grade mass murders are less explosive than carpet bombings, so they don’t make headlines. But the end result is the same. The extermination of Palestinians in Gaza. No wonder Israeli politicians keep talking about colonizing our land. They still believe that the possibility of Palestinian liberation from Gaza is very real and within reach.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.
