On March 17th, the IOF resumed its bombing of Gaza and declared the ceasefire ended. In the first hour alone, the IOF killed or injured more than 100 Palestinians, a majority of them children. Though horrifying, this is not surprising as more than half of Gaza’s population is under the age of 18. Targets of IOF bombing include schools, refugee camps, and some of the few remaining intact buildings in Gaza. In addition to the direct damage caused by the bombing, fires broke out throughout the Gaza strip. The death toll from the first night of bombing exceeds 400.
Denver Anti-War Action condemns Israel’s barbaric violence, and the government of the United States for supporting these violations of international law.
The agreement was intended to bring relief to the people of Gaza by halting Israel’s genocidal actions and permitting the entry of large amounts of aid, including food, medicine, medical equipment and construction equipment.
Instead, Israel blocked the entry of mobile homes and fuel, both from aid organizations and through purchases of fuel. They further prevented the entry of medical equipment, necessary for restoring hospitals to some semblance of functionality, as well as construction equipment needed to clear rubble.
Furthermore, Israel refused to publicize the names of all Palestinian prisoners it released, and continued to beat, torture and humiliate them.
Israel has been breaking the ceasefire agreement since day one. Even before March 17th, Israel killed over 116 and injured over 490 Palestinians during the “ceasefire” through bombardment, air strikes, and gunfire. Though horrific, this final breach of the agreement was forecasted. DAWA condemns all Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement stipulated that during the first 42 days, a second phase of the ceasefire would be negotiated, culminating in the IOF fully withdrawing from Gaza. However, Israel refused to negotiate in good faith and continually demanded extensions of the first phase of the ceasefire, despite not even holding to the terms of that phase.
Israel has ignored the outcry from Palestinians, from Arab states and peoples, from the whole world to stop its genocide. It ignores its own citizens, the hostages on whose behalf Israel claims to be prosecuting this genocide, who demand an end to the genocide.
Israel is spurred on by the support of the U.S. government, by Donald Trump’s brazen support for ethnic cleansing despite the vast majority of Americans demanding a ceasefire. Without U.S. weapons, this genocide would not be possible.
DAWA condemns the Trump administration, and demands an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
Despite facing significant casualties amongst their leaders, Palestinian resistance groups have stated their full commitment to fighting for the Palestinian people. They state that these attacks only strengthen the resistance, and bring the zionist occupation one step closer to being cast aside into the dustbin of history. Israel lives on stolen land and borrowed time.
We must follow the lead of the resistance and remain steadfast in our commitment to fighting for Palestinian liberation, From the River to the Sea.
Appendix:
Terms of the ceasefire:
The following is a summary of the ceasefire agreement, negotiated between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, via mediators including Egypt and Qatar. The ceasefire agreement contained details for Phase 1, and a commitment to negotiate the 2nd and 3rd Phases.
During Phase 1:
- The IOF will withdraw to the edges of the Gaza strip, from different regions at different times. Gazans would have freedom of movement gradually restored. All airstrikes, gunfire and artillery bombardments would halt.
- Humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, tents, mobile homes and construction equipment would be permitted to enter Gaza.
- Prisoner exchanges would occur every week. A total of 33 Israeli hostages would be released, and 30-50 Palestinians would be released in exchange for each hostage.
- During the first phase, specific details of the second phase would be worked out. The second phase would end with the release of all Israeli hostages, and the release of many more Palestinian prisoners, as well as a full withdrawal of the IOF from Gaza.
- During the second phase, the third phase would be planned. The third phase would end with an agreement for border crossings to remain open, a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, a plan for the governance of Gaza, and the release of all bodies of Israeli hostages. By the end of the agreement, all Palestinians taken prisoner in Gaza, as well as all Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons, would be released.
Violations & Interruptions:
Jan 15: Agreement signed.
Jan 19: Agreement goes into effect after Netanyahu delays several times, and airstrikes kill numerous Palestinians.
Feb 4: Phase 2 negotiations supposed to begin, but do not.
Feb 10: Trump makes remarks about buying Gaza or building a “riviera” and displacing Palestinians en masse. Palestinian people and orgs reject this roundly, as did the Arab states and peoples.
Week of Feb 18: Phase 2 negotiations begin.
March 3: Second phase should begin. It does not. Instead, Netanyahu demands extensions of Phase 1, despite constant violations.