Free Palestine
The Israeli occupation of Palestine is a deeply contentious and emotional issue that has spanned over seven decades. The story begins in 1948, a year etched in collective memory as the Nakba, or "catastrophe."
1948: The Nakba
In 1948, the "State of Israel" was established on Palestinian land. For Palestinians, this marked the beginning of the Nakba, during which an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes or fled in fear. Hundreds of Palestinian villages were destroyed, and their inhabitants were either killed or displaced. The establishment of Israel meant the loss of 78% of historic Palestine for Palestinians. The refugees, who hoped to return to their homes, found themselves in refugee camps in neighboring countries and the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
1967: The Six-Day War and Further Occupation
In 1967, Israel occupied the remaining 22% of historic Palestine: the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, following the Six-Day War. This occupation brought more Palestinians under Israeli control, subjected to a military regime that restricted their movement, confiscated land, and established illegal Israeli settlements. East Jerusalem, considered by Palestinians as their future capital, was annexed by Israel, a move not recognized by the international community.
The Intifadas
The first Intifada (uprising) began in 1987 as a spontaneous reaction to decades of occupation, oppression, and dispossession. It was largely non-violent, characterized by civil disobedience, boycotts, and protests. The second Intifada, which started in 2000, was more violent, with armed confrontations between Palestinian militants and the Israeli military.
The Oslo Accords
In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords were signed, promising a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. However, Palestinians saw little change on the ground. Settlement expansion continued, and the promised state remained elusive.
Hamas: A Response to Occupation
Emerging in 1987 during the First Intifada, Hamas, or "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya" (the Islamic Resistance Movement), stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance in the face of occupation. Situated in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is a Palestinian militant resistance group, striving for the liberation of Gaza from Israeli control. Their struggle mirrors the valiant efforts of the French resistance against Nazi Germany's invasion in May 1940, the Italian resistance movement during World War II, and countless other occupied nations throughout history that have risen against their oppressors. According to international law, specifically the 1970 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625, there is an explicit endorsement of the right to resist occupation. This resolution affirms that nations under foreign occupation have the right to use military force, especially when other avenues to achieve their objectives are unavailable.
The Gaza Blockade
In 2007, Israel imposed a stringent blockade on the Gaza Strip, critically limiting the movement of goods and individuals. This action precipitated a humanitarian crisis characterized by essential supply shortages and dwindling services. Coupled with intermittent military campaigns, the blockade has left the Gaza Strip in a state of devastation, with its inhabitants grappling with despair. Often referred to as the world's largest open-air prison, the Gaza Strip is home to over 2.3 million people. Since the Israeli military occupation in May 1967, which encompassed both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the region has experienced a transformation into a heavily surveilled zone under military governance. This occupation and subsequent blockade have permeated every facet of Palestinian life. The economic repercussions have been dire, with extensive damage and the majority of the population being virtually isolated from the global community. Presently, a staggering one million Palestinians in Gaza face food insecurity, even with the provision of food aid and other supportive measures. Amnesty International has highlighted Israel's aggressive land acquisition policies, illicit settlements, and dispossession, all underpinned by blatant discrimination. These actions have imposed immense hardships on the Palestinians, stripping them of their fundamental rights. The pervasive military oversight in Gaza disrupts the daily routines of its residents, influencing their ability to work, study, travel, maintain familial ties, earn a livelihood, access agricultural lands, and even secure basic utilities like electricity and clean water. This overarching control translates to daily indignities, pervasive fear, and systemic oppression, with the lives of the people in Gaza essentially being held at the mercy of Israeli policies.
Present Day
Today, the occupation continues with no end in sight. The West Bank is fragmented by settlements, roads exclusive to settlers, and the separation wall. Palestinians face daily humiliations at checkpoints, home demolitions, and land confiscations. In Gaza, the blockade continues, and periodic military offensives have left thousands dead and injured.
Conclusion
The Israeli occupation is not just about land but about dignity, identity, and the right to self-determination. The struggle for justice and freedom continues, with Palestinians fervently hoping to reclaim their land and restore their country.
The sole survivor of the occupation's shelling of the Tahrawi family's house in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, and the casualties among members of his family.
Child 101... His family is unknown, whether they are among the living or the martyrs... There are more than 100 newborn babies in Gaza hospitals.
Entire neighborhoods are being destroyed and pounded with rockets to level the buildings to the ground.
The entire family was martyred except for a few. This little girl trembles in the hospital, wounded, after the loss of her father, mother, and sister. She survived along with her three siblings.
Ministry of Health: A child has been rescued alive from under the rubble of one of the houses destroyed by Israeli aircraft. She is now without a father, without a mother, and no one knows her family.
There was once a building!
