There Is NO GAZAN VICTORY.

There is this disseminating perspective around the media world (at least alternative media) that the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is a victory for the people of Gaza. Hamas itself has even declared victory. A statement from a spokesman of Hamas's armed wing in this article states, "From the lion's den, we declare victory." Victory. That is a strong word. If by victory, he means victory over Israel, then I for one, beg to differ. This sentiment of his, however, can be safely asserted to have been shared across Palestine, as "jubilant residents" took to the streets, shouting slogans like "the resistance has triumphed." Hardly. 

As my friend stated regarding this conflict, "Actually, my instincts lead me into wondering how the ceasefire could be beneficial for Israel and only Israel. Their goal has always been to "equalize" proceedings. It's a liberal's wet dream to prattle on about how both sides need to "get round a table", etc. But that is perfect fodder for hiding away exactly how much the Palestinians have lost down the decades. They've never been "equal" or even close to it. 

But when you read between the lines, "peace talk" translates to "a couple of equally badly behaved schoolboys fighting, nothing major here, may the most magnanimous side lead the way". And of course, nothing civilized is ever promoted about Palestinians. Just scary brown men with bushy black beards and pajamas  launching toy rockets. The coverage is totally skewed for a Western audience. This is going Israel's way."

Let's look at the numbers. Number of dead Palestinians: 158. 102 were civilians, 55 militants along with a policeman, 30 children,  and 13 women. These numbers may vary with varying sources. 

How exactly is this a win for the Gazans? As my friend already pointed out Israel will face no international disciplinary action for its egregious violation of international law. 

Instead a Ceasefire was finally reached. Amongst the conditions were things such as halting all fighting, loosening restrictions on the flow of goods and people in and out of Gaza. So what? Israel will most likely decline to honor the terms and conditions of this ceasefire anyway. 

We are right back to square one. Israel will continue with its settlements and further expansion into Palestinian territory as it bulldozes homes, making more room for settlements. It's soldiers will continue to abuse (and murder) the occupied Palestinians. Palestine will continue to suffer unrelenting poverty and perpetual declivity in their standard of living. They will continue to live in fear and contempt of their occupiers. And then there is the rubble laid by Israeli air strike onslaughts. I highly doubt any of the rubble will be cleared and the damaged infrastructure replenished any time soon, within the the next 5 years, even 10.

 Tony Cartalucci of Land Destroyer, points out that this predictable failure of a campaign by Israel, was to help lend Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey legitimacy as the leaders of these nations harshly decried the Zionist aggression. Note that these countries are helping the West fund, arm, train, and provide logistical support to Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups to destabilize Syria, in the West's long campaign of subversion of secular and non-compliant Arab states, by using "irregular warfare" in its Redirection of the Middle East. 

It would make sense then, that Israel would benefit ultimately, as destabilization which causes partition among its neighbors, renders it the single most important nation in an increasingly unstable and volatile region.   

The Palestinians are not victors by any means. With what is going on in the Middle East, it is safe to say that their problems are far from over, and they could end up along with many other people across the Arab world as the major losers. 

What should be done? 

Hamas, ostensibly the most prevalent militaristic force in Gaza, must be rejected. Palestine must pursue its solutions through more diplomatic means. Hamas is a militant Islamic group, that employs attacks against civilian targets as well as military. It's a clear perpetrator of war crimes. While Israeli aggression is untenable, Hamas's position is unacceptable as well. Hamas during this past conflict which was dubbed by the Israeli Establishment as "Operation: Pillar of Cloud" with its clear biblical reference, has given Israel an excuse for aggression recently proven in its aerial onslaught of innocent Palestinians. 

By employing clever diplomacy, Palestine could put world leaders on the spot, forcing them to put their words into action instead of invoking heavy rhetoric aimed at boosting their PR points and lending themselves legitimacy that would be otherwise unearned. It could find diplomatic ways to put intense pressure on both Israel and its senior partner the U.S into reaching a fair deal towards the Palestinian goal of statehood. 

The fact that this recent ceasefire is dubbed a victory by the Palestinians, shows the low standard of what they perceive to be victory. It shows that they may not exactly recognize a true victory, because perhaps they've never experienced one before, or at least in a very long time.

In any conflict, in any war whatsoever, there is no such thing as a victor. There is simply the side that loses less, and the side that loses more, in one way or another. I hope one day, the Palestinians can experience true victory.