Israel and the Trump administration have repeatedly declared that the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza is still in place. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Dozens of residents in Gaza have expressed their disagreement with this claim, stating that the ceasefire is nothing more than a mere declaration and not a reality.
The recent conflict between Israel and Gaza, which lasted for 11 days, resulted in the deaths of over 250 Palestinians and 12 Israelis. The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, was welcomed by the international community as a much-needed respite from the violence and destruction. However, for the people living in Gaza, the ceasefire has not brought the promised peace and security.
The Intercept spoke to several residents in Gaza to get their perspective on the current situation. The overwhelming sentiment among them was that the ceasefire is just a declaration and not a reality. They feel that the ceasefire has not brought any significant changes to their daily lives, and they continue to live in fear and uncertainty.
One resident, Ahmed, expressed his disappointment with the ceasefire, saying, “We were hopeful that the ceasefire would bring an end to the violence and destruction, but it seems like nothing has changed. We still live in constant fear of another attack, and our lives are still at risk.”
Another resident, Fatima, shared her concerns about the lack of progress in rebuilding the damaged infrastructure in Gaza. She said, “The ceasefire was supposed to bring some relief to our lives, but we are still struggling to get basic necessities like electricity and clean water. Our homes and businesses have been destroyed, and we have no means to rebuild them.”
The residents also expressed their frustration with the lack of accountability for the Israeli airstrikes that destroyed their homes and killed their loved ones. They feel that the ceasefire has only served to protect Israel from facing any consequences for its actions.
One resident, Mohammed, stated, “The ceasefire is just a way for Israel to save face and avoid international condemnation. They continue to oppress us and violate our rights, and the world remains silent.”
The situation in Gaza has been dire even before the recent conflict, with the ongoing blockade and restrictions on movement severely impacting the lives of the people. The ceasefire has not brought any relief to these issues, and the residents feel that their voices are not being heard.
Despite the disappointment and frustration, the people of Gaza remain resilient and determined to continue their struggle for justice and freedom. They believe that the ceasefire is just a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict and that the root causes of the issue must be addressed for a lasting peace to be achieved.
The international community must take a more active role in holding Israel accountable for its actions and ensuring that the rights of the Palestinian people are respected. The ceasefire must not be used as an excuse to turn a blind eye to the ongoing human rights violations in Gaza.
In conclusion, the people of Gaza have made it clear that the ceasefire is not a reality for them. It is merely a declaration that has not brought any significant changes to their lives. The international community must take concrete steps to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a just and lasting solution for the people of Gaza. Only then can we truly say that the ceasefire has brought peace to the region.
