Ceasefire?
Is this the end of the 470 days long Genocide?
The announcement of a ceasefire (full text here) a few days ago, set to begin today (19 January 2025), brings a glimmer of hope to one of the bloodiest and most horrifying chapters in recent history. Is it real? We don’t know! For 470 relentless days, Gaza has endured unthinkable violence. The devastated population of Gaza has been subjected to a bombardment many times more destructive than the explosive power unleashed on Hiroshima.
Gaza, often likened to an open-air prison even long before this carnage, became the epicentre of unprecedented suffering, as Israel's military campaign laid waste to civilian life and infrastructure. This war, which began on 7 October 2023 following Hamas-led attacks on Israel, spiralled into catastrophic destruction. While the prospect of peace is welcomed, the prolonged bloodshed demands a reckoning with the failures and complicity that allowed it to persist for so long.
Biden - Blood on his hands!
While Israel's leadership carries the most direct blame for the atrocities, U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration continue to play the role of enabler. Through ongoing military support and muted disapproval, the United States has perpetuated Israel's bloodshed. Under the guise of muted disapproval, the United States continues to supply Israel with an unending arsenal of advanced weaponry, ensuring the perpetuation of its military operations—whether or not a ceasefire holds. Biden’s farewell address added insult to injury when he claimed:
"After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration — by my administration, a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year."
This statement is nothing short of a brazen lie. In truth, the Biden administration possessed the power to end Israel’s genocidal campaign at any moment but deliberately chose not to act.
Some reports reveal that the ceasefire was not the result of Biden’s so-called "non-stop negotiation" but was forced upon Israel by Steven Witkoff, the incoming Middle East envoy under the Trump administration. Biden did nothing when he could have, and let the butchery continue. So Biden’s declaration is just a cynical attempt to rewrite history and conceal his administration’s complicity. Even more damning, as he indirectly admits, the ceasefire terms mirror proposals that could have been adopted far earlier, potentially saving countless lives.
War Crimes and Accountability
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key figures in his government and military must face justice for their roles in what can only be described as war crimes and genocide. Civilians were systematically targeted, millions displaced, and Gaza’s infrastructure decimated, all while senior Israeli officials openly boasted about thwarting ceasefires. These admissions, along with social media posts shared by the genocidal forces of Israel, deepen their culpability and lay bare the inhumanity driving these policies.
As for the hostilities, despite its unmatched arsenal, courtesy of unwavering Western support, Israel’s military operations have exposed glaring weaknesses. On the ground, its celebrated military might has struggled against adversaries like Hamas and Hezbollah. Resistance movements, including AnsarAllah, not only held their ground but also demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen. In its pursuit of bloodshed, Israel has revealed both its incompetence and the dehumanising ideologies of its extremist leadership for the world to witness.
Lessons for History
When the history of these 470 days is written, it will not only recount the horrifying acts of violence but also shine a harsh light on the enablers—governments that turned a blind eye, diplomats who failed to act, and leaders who perpetuated suffering. In contrast, the resilience of Gaza’s people and the solidarity of global activists will stand as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.
This ceasefire may mark the end of this phase of violence, but it cannot erase the indelible scars left on Gaza’s people. Neither can it absolve the perpetrators and their enablers. True justice demands accountability. Trials akin to those at Nuremberg should be pursued to hold those responsible for these atrocities to account. Until such justice is achieved, the world has a moral obligation to boycott the genocidal regime in Israel.
All articles on Diaspora Dialogue are free to read for one year from publication. If you’ve enjoyed this piece and would like to support my work, you can do so by subscribing, or by buying me a coffee. Thank you for reading and being part of the dialogue!
Article Series Zionism
