By Bakr Abu Bakr
For two years, the Palestinian Arab people have been suffering, oscillating between pain and sorrow, between hunger, death, and disease in the Gaza Strip. They shar
e a life of misery and hardship with their brethren in the West Bank of Palestine, though the suffering in Gaza a brutal and devastating aggression and catastrophe (Nakba) is far more severe. As one prominent American historian noted, its intensity and brutality surpass that of more than 15 military campaigns of the 20th century.
As a result of this aggression, Netanyahu, with his fascist regime and unlimited American support, now effectively occupies the entire Levant. No one stands in his way neither the "Axis of Resistance" nor the "Axis of Moderation." Both, for their own reasons, have turned inward, leaving Palestine (in practice) to stand alone. They have chosen to retreat and fortify themselves behind what they call "rationality" or "pragmatism," forgetting the many tools of power they possess to confront Netanyahu's grandiose threats of a "Greater Israel" spreading across the entire region.
The Palestinian state is the daily nightmare, the specter that haunts Netanyahu's dreams, the very thing he vowed to destroy back in 1996. He continues to strive tirelessly, to the point of convincing the region that he is the master of an axis of benevolence and good, opposing an axis of damnation and evil. In reality, he is turning the truth on its head.
Understanding the limits of international relations and national interests, we saw the Arab Peace Initiative, the Saudi-French Initiative, and the New York Declaration. A new wave of recognition from Western nations has followed, adding to those that have recognized Palestine since 1988. These new recognitions have pushed the State of Palestine's observer member status to the forefront of the international stage. Yet, Netanyahu, his army, and his regime still refuse to even utter the name "Palestine," erasing it from the map just as they erase its people from the land with bloodshed.
Following Trump's latest plan, deeply and corruptly amended by Netanyahu, it is imperative for the primary stakeholders of the cause, the Palestinians themselves, to recognize that the target is not one party or organization, but the entire cause. Therefore, just as we address the wider Arab world, we must tell ourselves that the time has come to understand that the fire is burning the whole house, just as the Israeli fascists say and do daily. The only shield to protect our path forward is to extend a hand in unity, come together under one umbrella, and make a decision. Even if this is perceived as a national concession here or there, it is a thousand times better than the current state of being singled out, which is leading to the destruction of both our people and our cause.
Salvation can only come through unity, a unified platform, unified arms, a single authority, and one leadership that makes decisions collectively. This is the opposite of the gambling that has occurred, dragging the region to ruin by falling for Israeli provocations. The time has come to take steps forward, to stop listening to the regional axes, and to start listening to the unifying national voice. We must heed the calls of the Palestinian, Arab, and non-Arab masses who have chanted in their millions across the globe for Palestine and its people never for Faction X or Faction Y.
The writer and thinker Hani al-Masri states that we are caught between "a scenario of total liquidation and the option of required national reconciliation," stressing the need to catch our breath, learn lessons, and advance a Palestinian struggle that safeguards the cause. Similarly, writer and thinker Ibrahim Abrash argues: "Hamas must announce that it is handing over the entire Gaza file to Egypt, the State of Palestine, and the UN, and that any negotiations should be conducted through them. In doing so, Hamas would become a partner in the positive international momentum in favor of Palestine." Analyst Ameer Makhoul, after listing the immense dangers of Trump's wretched and unjust plan, notes that "the formula fails to meet the minimum requirements for a just and peaceful solution." He dismisses the possibility of Hamas's disapproval, stating it "would be inconceivable not to prioritize the voices of a Gaza that is starving, being annihilated, and displaced." Meanwhile, Marwan Toubassi, writing under the title "Miscalculations: Welcoming a Plan That Sidelines Its Own People," calls for the declaration of a national salvation government and urges Hamas to review its vision, cease its gambles, and move towards a unified Palestinian position.
Let us be clear: in the wake of the Trump plan, the Palestinian factions chief among them Hamas in Gaza face dwindling options that shrink with every drop of blood spilled. A faction is not more important than the homeland. So let the faction go to hell, or wait for a future stage, or realize that revolution, struggle, and confrontation take many forms. They are not limited to a single method that after long, barren months has proven to be weak, besieged, and incapable of achieving anything. Hamas and all factions must understand that whether the current round ends for or against Trump's unjust plan, what comes next for Gaza and all of Palestine will be even more momentous. There is no escape from coming together for a joint decision and preparing for future rounds of struggle in different forms.
If a decision-maker lacks vision, political blindness will be their path, and their fate will be destruction. If they cover their eyes or become beholden to one axis or another, they will suffer a bitter fall. This is especially true given the current situation, which demands that the voice of the Palestinian street particularly that of Gazans, exhausted after two bitter years be heard. No objection, clarification, or amendment despite all the evil inherent in the Trump-Netanyahu plan is more important than preserving the lives of what remains of our people. We must move away from the slogans of incitement, mobilization, and deception that have spread since the beginning of this surprise assault, which made outsiders believe this was a war between two great armies. In reality, it is the Palestinian, with nothing but their bare body and steadfastness, resisting the greatest war machine in modern history.
A unified decision from all Palestinians, free from the influence of regional axes, is necessary and urgent, regardless of the perceived concessions made for the sake of our people's lives and the future of our cause. Tomorrow, God willing, will be better, and future struggles await. The path of resistance to achieve the independence of the State of Palestine Netanyahu's specter is still long and requires the efforts of all. Let everyone, whether far-sighted or near-sighted, realize that the people are more important than any faction, and the homeland is more important than any leader. The march of this struggle does not stop at the boundaries of any one group; it continues, driven by the determination of its people and their unwavering faith.
* The article was first published in the Al Quds, on October 3rd, 2025. It has been translated from Arabic to English with the kind support of the Levant Files team members. The Levant Files does not share all the arguments that have been expressed in the republished articles. We share the article due to the ongoing historical developments in the region.