There is relief in war-torn Gaza because of the ceasefire deal [Hassan Jedi/Anadolu via Getty]
The Israeli army on Saturday reportedly dropped leaflets on the Gaza Strip hours before a ceasefire agreement is expected to come into effect, seemingly mocking claims of victory against Israel.
A long-overdue ceasefire is supposed to begin on Sunday 8:30 am local time (630 GMT) after 15 months of Israel’s relentless war on the enclave that has killed at least 47,000 people, mostly civilians, and has left much of the territory in ruins.
Hamas, which Israel has been battling Israel in Gaza, has argued that Israel’s objectives of dismantling the Palestinian group has failed. Many Palestinians and other people around the world share this sentiment, saying Israel’s onslaught has not ended Hamas nor the Palestinian cause, but in fact has risen more global awareness for the plight of the Palestinians.
But these statements have been met with backlash by other Palestinians who say any claims of victory are insensitive and tasteless due to the colossal death toll and unprecedented level of destruction in Gaza, with nearly all its 2.3 million population displaced. People are, nevertheless, relieved that a ceasefire has finally been reached.
The leaflets depicted a drawing of a Palestinian family sat on the rubble of their home, with some reading “Is victory at hand or not yet?” and “A new victory for the resistance.”
During the war, many Israeli social media users would create videos on apps like TikTok mocking the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, such as portraying themselves as wounded and covered in dust. Many Israeli soldiers also posted videos of their war crimes in the enclave.
Several human rights groups and governments around the world have blasted Israel’s war in Gaza as a genocide, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.
An ICC arrest warrant is also issued for Netanyahu’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
