The prospect of Israel and the Shiite Lebanese organisation Hezbollah soon reaching a ceasefire agreement, without any similar resolution for the war in the Gaza Strip, leaves Palestinians feeling abandoned and fearing that the Israeli military will focus all its forces on the enclave.
Hezbollah began firing rockets and missiles at Israel in solidarity with Hamas following the Palestinian organisation’s attack on Israeli soil on 7 October 2023, which marked the start of the Gaza war.
Hostilities have intensified over the past two months. Since 23 September, the Israeli military has launched massive strikes on Lebanon, and since 30 September, it has also conducted ground raids in the southern part of the country.
Israel is now expected to approve a US-proposed ceasefire plan with Hezbollah after the country’s security council meeting today. Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed hope that an agreement would be reached by tonight.
As diplomatic efforts focus on Lebanon, Palestinians feel disheartened and forgotten by the international community, after 14 months of war that have devastated the Gaza Strip and claimed the lives of more than 44,000 people.
Abdel Ghani, a father of five commented that it shows that Gaza is an orphan, without support and without mercy from an unjust world. He added that he is furious with the world for failing to find a solution for both regions. “Perhaps there will be another agreement for Gaza, perhaps.”
A deal between Israel and Hezbollah without any provisions for Gaza would be a blow to Hamas, whose leaders had hoped that the war’s expansion into Lebanon would force Israel into a comprehensive agreement. Hezbollah had insisted it would not agree to a ceasefire until the war in Gaza ended, but it appears to have abandoned this condition.
Tamer al-Burai, a businessman from Gaza City who, like most residents of the enclave, has been displaced from his home said that they had high hopes that Hezbollah would stand firm to the end, but it seems they couldn’t. He added that they fear the Israeli army will now have free rein to act in Gaza.
Zakeya Rezeq, a 56-year-old mother of six said that they hoped that the expansion of the war would mean a solution for everyone, but instead they are left alone to face the horrific (Israeli) occupation. She added that enough is enough, they are exhausted, and wondered how many more must die before they stop the war. She concluded that the war in Gaza must end—people are being exterminated, starved, and bombed daily.
Also read: US Vetoes UN Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire
Source: ANA-MPA
