The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades’ attack on October 7 on the camps and towns of the so-called Gaza envelope (a translation of the Hebrew term “Otef Aza”) was a turning point in the conflict between the Palestinian resistance and Israel, at the level of planning, implementation, strength, and image. People will be busy analysing its implications for a long time. That morning, not only concrete fortifications but also intellectual fortresses of stereotypical preconceptionswere blown up.
Palestinians, and Arabs in general, have the right to feel some pride and self-confidence, after it became clear what can be achieved with the perseverance, diligence, determination, and imagination shown by the resistance fighters in such impossible circumstances.
Israel has launched the war, so what is happening is not just a military operation. It has declared openly that it is committing crimes against humanity, and that it will continue to do so more severely and on a larger scale. It is carrying out a comprehensive destruction of cities and camps in the Gaza Strip, which can be described as the most densely populated area in the world, the largest refugee camp, and the largest concentration camp.
It is true that it does this to erase the memory of the video clips (which Hamas has spread a lot), and to restore its image before its people and before the Arabs, whether they are foes or normalizers, by spreading deaths and destruction in Gaza. But there is more than this. The continuous bombing after the targets have been finished is an expression of confusion and hesitation regarding action after reaction.
The widespread devastating bombing also obscures the lack of a plan which includes the goals and means necessary to achieve them. The American and European green signals encourage Israel to proceed without any calculation. In addition to the confusion about the plan and the goal, the carpet-bombing aims to drive a wedge between the idea of Hamas and the people by doubling the cost of resistance and the price which Israel collects from the people of Gaza.
The carpet-bombings, treating the Palestinians as human animals in a large cage, and threatening to deprive them of water and food shows blatant racism. When Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant described the Palestinians as “human animals,” it did not come out in a fit of anger, but from his beliefs. He is acting according to his belief.
So, what next? If the war of extermination and barbaric bombing continues to destroy Gaza, leading to the declaration that “the mission is accomplished,” and if the commander of Al-Qassam forces comes out to the people, confirming that the (Hamas) movement is alive and well, and that the resistance will continue, he will also be able to declare the failure of the (Israeli) aggression and build upon what happened on October 7.
[by Azmi Bishara in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed]
Compiled and Translated by Faizul Haque