The announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza marks a definitive turning point in a conflict that has brought unimaginable suffering and devastation to the Palestinian people.
For over 15 months, Gaza has endured a relentless and illegal campaign of bombardment and siege, leaving tens of thousands dead and its infrastructure in ruins. While the cessation of hostilities provides a moment of respite, it underscores a larger narrative: Israel has failed to achieve any of its objectives, and its standing in the world has been irreparably damaged.
A Failure of Leadership: Netanyahu’s Missteps
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership during the conflict has been marked by obstinance and strategic blunders. For months, Netanyahu resisted calls for a ceasefire, even as his own Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, resigned, acknowledging the futility of continued military operations. Gallant, the chief architect of the genocide, stated plainly that the army had exhausted its options in Gaza. Yet Netanyahu pressed on, driven by ideological zeal and a desire to maintain his grip on power.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu rejected a ceasefire deal brokered by Hamas and witnessed by CIA Director William Burns. Instead, he launched an offensive on Rafah, aiming to displace the population of Northern Gaza permanently – an ethnic cleaning campaign. This plan, which included the creation of the Netzarim Corridor to annex a third of Gaza’s territory, was widely condemned as a war crime and an act of ethnic cleansing. Even senior Israeli figures, such as former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, decried it as a violation of international law.
In an attempt to save face, Netanyahu’s government has painted the ceasefire as a strategic move to secure hostages and demonstrate strength. David Mencer, a spokesperson for the Israeli government, has argued that the agreement reflects Israel’s military dominance and humanity. However, this narrative crumbles under scrutiny. Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining an Israeli presence on the Philadelphi Corridor—a demand ultimately abandoned—highlighted the unrealistic goals set by his administration. Meanwhile, his claims of Hamas being on the ropes are contradicted by the group’s ability to sustain resistance and recruit fighters at unprecedented levels.
Military Stalemate: A Pyrrhic Campaign
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has been both costly and ineffective. Despite deploying overwhelming firepower, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) failed to achieve their primary objective: the dismantling of Hamas. Instead, Hamas has emerged more resilient than ever, demonstrating its ability to adapt and regenerate under the most adverse conditions.
The battle for Beit Hanoun in Northern Gaza exemplifies this failure. Initially deemed a weak point in Hamas’ defenses, the city became a symbol of resistance. Wave after wave of Israeli operations failed to secure the area, with Hamas inflicting significant casualties on Israeli forces. Over 55 Israeli soldiers, including senior officers, were killed in this sector alone, highlighting the high cost of an ultimately fruitless campaign.
Mencer’s claims of Hamas being shattered are further undermined by admissions from Israeli military analysts. Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi stated, “The pace at which Hamas is rebuilding itself is higher than the pace at which the Israeli army is eradicating them.”
The reality on the ground exposes the hollowness of Israel’s triumphalist rhetoric.
The Humanitarian Catastrophe
The human toll of the conflict has been staggering. Over 16% of Gaza’s population has been killed, with entire families wiped out and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure have been systematically targeted, leaving tens of thousands without access to basic services.
The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for humanitarian aid, with 600 trucks per day set to deliver food, water, and medical supplies. However, the scale of destruction means that recovery will take years, if not decades. The agreement also stipulates the release of hostages, with Palestinians set to exchange 30 detainees for every Israeli captive. This unequal exchange further highlights the power dynamics and underscores the profound disparities between the two sides.
Hostage families have expressed frustration with the Israeli government, accusing it of dragging its feet on negotiations. While Mencer deflected these criticisms by blaming Hamas’s intransigence, many families believe the government’s priorities were misplaced. The delay in reaching a deal has only deepened the wounds of those directly affected by the conflict.
A Global Reckoning
Israel’s actions during the conflict have sparked a global backlash. Once seen as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, Israel’s standing has been tarnished by widespread allegations of war crimes and genocide. Advocates for Palestinian rights have galvanized a growing movement of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS), drawing comparisons to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
This shift in power dynamics also reflects deeper geopolitical trends. Analysts note that a battle has been raging within U.S. policy circles, particularly between neoconservatives and a rising faction aligned with global financial elites (termed the a-national OC-GFC). The latter faction, focused on stabilizing the Middle East and reducing dependence on outdated Zionist policies, has been instrumental in pushing for the ceasefire. These shifts indicate a recalibration of U.S. foreign policy priorities, with increasing emphasis on regional stability, integration, and multipolarity.
Resistance and the Regional Context
As the Iranian and much-respected Professor Mohammad Marandi emphasized, resistance movements are not designed to achieve outright military victories but to hold back hegemonic forces and expose their contradictions. The events in Gaza reflect this principle. The resistance axis, encompassing state and non-state actors like Iran, Hezbollah, and Palestinian groups, has shown remarkable adaptability. Despite the catastrophic fall of Syria, these movements have managed to continue challenging imperialist agendas.
Syria’s collapse under foreign-backed militias has fractured the nation and sown long-term instability. The spillover effects threaten to destabilize neighboring countries like Turkey and Qatar. Fighters loyal only to their financial backers pose ongoing threats, potentially carrying out attacks across the region and beyond.
The current ceasefire highlights the resilience of Palestinian resistance, which has successfully exposed Israel’s vulnerabilities. The steadfastness of Gaza’s population in the face of relentless bombardment has galvanized global solidarity and shifted public opinion. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the international community’s moral responsibility to act.
Palestinian Resilience: The Decisive Factor
At the heart of this conflict lies the extraordinary resilience of the Palestinian people. Despite unrelenting attacks, they have refused to abandon their land or their identity. The ability of Gaza’s residents to endure unimaginable hardships—from starvation and disease to relentless bombardment—has been a defining feature of this conflict.
This resilience has not only thwarted Israel’s military objectives but has also inspired solidarity movements worldwide. The resistance in Gaza has demonstrated that even the most heavily armed occupier can be challenged by the sheer will of an oppressed people. As Israeli columnist Yossi Yasulin wrote in Haaretz, “Even if we conquer the entire Middle East and even if everyone surrenders to us, we won’t win this war.”
The Role of U.S. Politics
The internal dynamics of U.S. politics have also played a role in shaping the outcome of the Gaza conflict. The transition from the Biden administration to the Trump administration underscores the competing factions within the U.S. political establishment. While Biden’s approach leaned on traditional neoconservative policies, Trump’s administration has been shaped by the priorities of the a-national OC-GFC faction, which seeks regional stabilization and a pivot toward multipolarity.
Trump’s unpredictable nature complicates forecasts for future U.S. policy in the Middle East. However, his administration’s engagement in pushing for the ceasefire reflects broader shifts in global geopolitics. Analysts suggest that Trump’s focus on domestic challenges and recalibration of foreign policy priorities may lead to further disengagement from unproductive conflicts.
A Strategic Defeat for Israel
The ceasefire in Gaza marks the end of a chapter in the long and painful history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. For Israel, this war has been a strategic defeat. It has failed to achieve its military objectives, alienated its allies, and galvanized a global movement for Palestinian rights. For the Palestinians, it represents a bittersweet victory—one achieved at an unimaginable cost but one that reinforces their resolve and highlights the futility of Israel’s attempts to suppress their aspirations.
The international shift toward stabilizing the Middle East, led by emerging powers and a recalibrated U.S. foreign policy, signals a transformative period. The days of unchallenged Zionist dominance appear numbered as regional powers push for integration and multipolar cooperation. With rebuilding efforts in Gaza poised to receive international support, Israel faces an uncertain future, marked by internal strife, economic struggles, and diminishing global influence.
As the region enters a new phase, the lessons of this conflict must not be forgotten. The international community has a moral obligation to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to support the rebuilding of Gaza.
