The concept of a ceasefire, traditionally understood as a cessation of hostilities to facilitate peace, is being re-evaluated in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recent observations suggest that these pauses in fighting are not leading to genuine de-escalation but are instead being utilized for strategic military regrouping, perpetuating a cycle of violence and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
According to an opinion piece by Betül Tilmaç, a multimedia editor at Daily Sabah, published on October 13, Israel has consistently leveraged ceasefires as opportunities to reorganize its military operations. Tilmaç argues that these periods are not acts of peace but rather tactical pauses for military preparation, allowing Israeli forces to reposition, update target lists, and launch new assaults once international pressure subsides. This strategy is described as "narrative engineering," where a calm front is presented to the world while new attacks are prepared under the guise of international understanding.
The article highlights that this approach leaves nearly two million Gazans in a constant struggle for basic survival. A genuine humanitarian ceasefire, it posits, should create conditions for people to live again, yet the reality on the ground is starkly different. United Nations agencies continue to raise alarms over widespread famine and a looming health catastrophe, with severe limitations on access to food, medicine, shelter, and clean water. The scale of hunger is so dire that international organizations are demanding urgent and unrestricted access, rendering the idea of a "permanent ceasefire" an "ethical slogan" in the face of persistent suffering.
Critics argue that the international community's response often falls short, with diplomacy engaging in "time-buying games" while people protest for justice. International law, it is suggested, is increasingly interpreted to serve the interests of powerful nations. Headlines about "emergency aid" for Gaza are seen as negotiations over conscience in global media, rather than genuine efforts to address the root causes of the crisis. For a lasting solution, the political order that necessitates such conditions must be questioned, not just the terms of aid.
Essential humanitarian measures are outlined, including ensuring border security, opening air access for aid, deploying independent monitoring mechanisms, swiftly repairing health infrastructure under international guarantees, and transparently allocating funds for debris removal and permanent housing. These are deemed fundamental for Palestinians to rebuild their lives. However, the illusion of ceasefires persists, with the world relaxing and public attention shifting while preparations for further bombardments continue.
The piece concludes by emphasizing that peace is not merely the absence of conflict or a press release; it is built on the ability of people to breathe freely, for children to attend school, and for the sky to no longer be a target. The current situation, where over a million homes are destroyed, the health system has collapsed, and children are starving, means that post-war famine, disease, and destruction will continue to claim lives for years. The world is urged to transform the rhetoric of ceasefires into concrete action, recognizing that the annihilation of a generation is at stake.
Photo: Gemini AI