Gaza Crisis

The Facts about Israel's War on Gaza

Provided by UC Gaza Coalition

The recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas began in June 2008. The terms were that Israel would drastically reduce its blockade of Gaza and halt all military incursions into Gaza, while Hamas would halt all rocket attacks into Israel.

From the outset of the cease-fire, Israel failed to significantly ease the blockade. As stated in a November article, “Since June 2007, Israel has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. Many there hoped that policy would change, five months ago, when Hamas and Israel agreed to a truce. But while there were some increases in the amount of aid allowed in, Israel's strict restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza largely remained” [5]. In fact, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) stated that Gaza would face a humanitarian “catastrophe” if Israel continued to prevent aid from reaching the territory [1]. An Israeli newspaper reported that “Israel had restricted goods into Gaza despite the truce” and that the impoverished population was facing “growing malnutrition” [1]. A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called the conditions in Gaza “terrible”, “almost unbelievable”, and “a shocking violation of so many human rights.” She went on to say that “Their whole civilization has been destroyed, I'm not exaggerating” [2]. The Red Cross said that “virtually no medical supplies were reaching Gaza” [4]. The Israeli government maintains that the blockade “is needed to isolate [Hamas] and stop it and other militants from firing rockets into Israel” [2]. However, Hamas had ceased launching rockets into Israel during the cease-fire and in fact arrested those of militant groups who did fire occasional rockets [21]. Additionally, it was reported in the Washington Post that “even in quiet times, when Gaza militants refrained from firing rockets at Israeli border towns, only limited shipments of food, medicine and commercial goods were allowed in” [6].

The cease-fire held until November 4, 2008. On that date, “At least six Hamas militants [were] killed after Israel's first incursion into the Gaza Strip since June's truce… A truce between the two sides had held since it was declared on 19 June” [7]. The Israeli government sought to justify these actions, saying that they suspected the Palestinians of plotting to kidnap Israeli soldiers [8]. Palestinian fighters responded by firing rockets into Israel [5].

As the cease-fire began to crumble, Hamas announced that “Palestinian armed groups in Gaza remain committed to a truce with Israel if Jerusalem reciprocates” [9]. An Israeli newspaper reported that “militant groups in Gaza have agreed to cease cross-border attacks if Israel opens crossings into the coastal territory” [10]. Even so, Israel continued its blockade, and violence increased. When the six-month cease-fire was up for renewal, Hamas stated that “there was no point in extending the truce ‘as long as Israel isn't abiding by its terms’.” He went on to cite Israel’s continued blockade and its refusal to extend the truce to the West Bank, where Israel had continued to carry out military operations [11].

The Israeli government asserted that invading Gaza was their only remaining option to eliminate rocket attacks. However, they had clearly not exhausted the peaceful alternatives. As described above, Israel violated the cease-fire by not significantly reducing its blockade [5] and by launching a military attack into Gaza on November 4 [7]. In fact, there is evidence that Israel was planning to strike Gaza even while the cease-fire was still in effect. According to an Israeli newspaper, “Sources in the defense establishment said Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for the operation over six months ago, even as Israel was beginning to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas” [20].

In an attempt to justify Israel’s attack on Gaza, some have claimed that Hamas is an unwilling peace partner. In reality, Hamas and other Palestinian groups have firmly established that they are willing to participate in negotiations that are based on internationally recognized borders and rights. For instance, in a letter to President Bush, the Hamas leader in Gaza wrote that “We are so concerned about stability and security in the area that we don't mind having a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders and offering a truce for many years.” Hamas reemphasized this position recently, adding, “Our conflict is not with the Jews, our problem is with the occupation” [14]. Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority has endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers peace and “Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for an end to Israel's occupation of land captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war” [13]. Obama said that he was “very impressed” with this peace plan, and the Bush administration has said “it views the plan positively” [15].

Since Israel began its strike, 4 Israelis and over 420 Palestinians have been killed, with 5 Israelis and over 2100 Palestinians injured [22]. Hamas has said they are “open to any ceasefire propositions as long as they meant an end to the air strikes and a lifting of the Israeli blockade” [18]. A 48-hour cease-fire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza was proposed by a French foreign minister, but Israel rejected this offer [18]. As concerned humans, we must stand with the United Nations and the international community in promoting a cease-fire that demands an end to all aggression from both the Israeli military and Palestinian militants.

References:

[1] "UNRWA chief: Gaza on brink of humanitarian catastrophe." Haaretz Israel News. 21 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039834.html >.

[2] "Gaza residents ‘terribly trapped’." BBC News. 4 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7708670.stm>.

[3] "UN warns over Gaza food blockade." BBC News. 11 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7722948.stm>.

[4] "UN ‘has run out of Gaza food aid." BBC News. 13 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7726943.stm>.

[5] "Gazans despair over blockade." BBC News. 20 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7739063.stm>.

[6] "Gazans using tattered notes because of cash crunch." The Washington Post. 24 Nov. 2008. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112400628_Comments.html>.

[7] "Palestinians die in Gaza clashes." BBC News. 5 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7709603.stm>.

[8] "Hamas: Six Palestinians killed in first IDF raid since Gaza truce." Haaretz Israel News. 5 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1034307.html>.

[9] “Haniyeh: If Israel abides by truce, so will Palestinian groups.” Haaretz Israel News. 21 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039823.html>.

[10] “Report: Gaza militants agree to cease rocket fire if Israel opens crossings.” Haaretz Israel News. 24 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040233.html>.

[11] “Agreement in Hamas: Cease-fire to end Friday.” Haaretz Israel News. 16 Dec. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1046923.html>.

[12] “Haniyeh recognized Israel in 2006 letter to President Bush.” Haaretz Israel News. 14 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037258.html>.

[13] “Arab plan explained in Hebrew ads.” BBC News. 20 Nov. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7739198.stm>.

[14] “Haniyeh: Hamas would accept state under 1967 borders.” Haaretz Israel News. 9 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035414.html>.

[15] “Peres: Obama ‘very impressed’ by Arab League peace plan.” Haaretz Israel News. 19 Nov. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1038636.html>.

[16] "Barak: We'll use every resource to stop 'criminal' rocket fire from Gaza." Haaretz Israel News. 29 Dec. 2008. <http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050940.html>.

[17] “Israel vows war on Hamas in Gaza.” BBC News. 29 Dec. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7803711.stm>.

[18] “Israel rejects Gaza truce calls.” BBC News. 31 Dec. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7805558.stm>.

[19] “Hamas leader killed in air strike.” BBC News. 1 Jan. 2009. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7807124.stm>.

[20] “Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about.” Haaretz Israel News. 31 Dec. 2008. <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050426.html>.

[21] “Hamas arrests rocket squad after Gaza attack.” Globe and Mail Canadian News. 10 Jul. 2008.<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080710.wgaza0710/BNStory/NIDAL+AL-MUGHRABI>.

[22] “Fears grow of Gaza ground assault.” Al Jazeera English News. 1 Jan. 2009. <http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200911133527449783.html>.

[23] “Truce barely eases Gaza embargo.” BBC News. 19 Aug. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7570605.stm>.

[24] “Egypt opens Gaza border crossing.” BBC News. 30 Aug. 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7589657.stm>.

[25] “Gaza tunnels ‘become an industry’.” BBC News. 16 Oct 2008. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7673926.stm>.

[26] “Israelis and Palestinians Suffer Under Bombardments – CNN.com Transcripts – Aired December 31, 2008 - 15:00 ET.” CNN. 31 Dec. 2008. <http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0812/31/cnr.07.html>.