A land or country by name of 'Palestine' never existed. Originally a Canaanite settlement, it was under Egypt for 350 years. Israelis were settled here after World War II by the British. An U.N.O. proposed partition plan between Arabs & Israelis could not materialise because of 1948 Arab-Israel War. Some experts have opined that both Arabs and Jews have legitimate claim to this land., once a prosperous Oasis and a commercial hub.

Tel Aviv was built on the ruins of Sheikh Muwannis, a Palestine village. Every other city of Israel rose over ruins of Palestinian villages after locals were ousted. With the passage of time, their miseries were added further.

Process of suppression of people, often accompanied by physical torture and murder by Israeli military in two key locations of Gaza Strip and West Bank is being experienced for many years. It is in full knowledge of U.N.O., NATO, S.C.O., BRICS, U.S.A, major countries of Europe, North America and Latin America but things donot improve. In its last conference, Sanghai Cooperation Organisation refrained from mentioning anything concerning menace of terrorism, which was objected to by India. BRICS, however, has condemned U.S. Israel strikes on Iran, terrorism in Middle East, obstuction to the entry of humanitarian aid as also brutal Pahalgam massacre on May 22. It also condemned use of starvation as a method of warfare.

Hamas (Sunni) and Hezbollah (Shia), two political cum militant organisations have been deeply working against Israel for the sake of safety and security of 2.1 million Palestinians. While the former gets regular funds to the tune of 1.8 Billion Dollars from Qatar, latter is supported through financial and arms aid from Iran and Lebanon. Hezbollah together with the Houthis, is a regular beneficiary of latest long range and supersonic missiles & drones (Sahed & Mohajer) and continued advancement in war technology in Iran.

Hamas, a Key Palestinian  Organisation

Hamas, a political organisation having a military wing with a strength of 20 to 30 thousand fighters, is governing Israel occupied Gaza Strip (365 sq.kms) since 2007. It was taken back from Egypt by Israel in June 1967 war. Following murder of Yahya Sinwar, their head on October 17, 2024, U.S.A is reported to have "advised" Israel to have a Cease fire in Gaza. However, Hamas has demanded and rightly so, complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza ,an end to hostilities, swift humanitarian aid and reconstruction of the territory.

As a result of mediation by Egypt, Qatar and USA, a 60 day Cease fire between Israel and Hamas ultimately took effect from January 19, 2025. Valid for a period of 60 days, it was to end on March 18, 2025.

Why a limit of 60 days was agreed to, could not be understood as later developments would reveal that it was against the very spirit of peace or stoppage of war. Secondly, it was a mistake to keep USA in the fold as they not only were giving immense support and guidance to Israel, but they were also pretending to espouse for peace.

By the time C.F. took effect, considerable blood shed was reported on the one hand and 251 Israeli hostages too were in a state of fear & intimidation. Also common and helpless Palestinians residing in inhospitable terrain of Gaza Strip, continue to struggle for no fault of theirs.

Hezbollah, Biggest Private Army

When one is talking of exploring peace in war-torn Gaza Strip, meticulously organised cold blooded murder of Hassan Nasrollah, head of Hezbollah immediately comes to mind. Head of "Party of God", was murdered in a heavily guarded basement of a building in Beirut on September 27, 2024. About 1.4 million people from 79 countries attended his funeral. One may not defend him, but it spoke volume on his mass following.

Hezbollah, all along was fighting together with Hamas for the just and reasonable cause of Palestinians but the daring outfit took no time in delinking two conflicts. One fine morning they decided to abandon Hamas.Thus 'Divide & Rule' policy orchestrated by U.S.A. worked. After little lapse of time, Hezbollah, agreed to have a Cease fire with Israel with effect from dawn of November 27, 2024. But true to their notoriety, Israeli troops bombarded Hezbollah controlled areas even early in morning of November 27, 2024, killing 56 persons and injuring 37 inside Lebanon. Hezbollah too fired 250 rockets into Israel, in retaliation.

Hezbollah, the largest private Army in the world having close to fifty thousand fighters and 1,20,000 rockets, was to be kept dormant by Israel but their political wing was to continue indulging in their activity in Lebanon. Ostensibly due to Hezbollah, Lebanon has also lost 2400 people in one year and over 1.2 million persons have been displaced.

It appears that Hezbollah was closely watching post-December, 2024 developments and those relating to Iran-Israel war in general and continued inhuman sufferings and deaths in Gaza Strip, in particular.Therefore, it has scaled up its role as an armed body in the wake of unwanted killing of over 613 Palestinians in last one month, as reported by U.N. Human Rights Commission. These have taken place both at aid points of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups. As these figures are as of 27th June, more casualties might have taken place. As per one source, these informations have been obtained from hospitals, affected families, cemeteries, NGO's, Palestinian health authorities etc. Nonetheless, some instances of violent looting by people and attacks on truck drivers did take place reflecting a state of desperation.

At the same time, apart from slowing down and abruptly stopping the aid convoys, the Israeli soldiers have been also reported to taking out food and other packets from trucks and throwing them on main thoroughfares.They only know cruelty, not humanity.

Israeli military has, at last acknowledged that Palestinians have been 'harmed' at aid distribution centres.

Who is Responsible for Massive Devastation

Who will take responsibility for flattened towns and villages, destruction of over 35 hospitals, brutal killing of 57,338 people, 1,12,000 persons wounded, death of 18,000 children due to starvation and malnutrition, and another 14,000 children on the brink of death ? These have been rightly and eloquently highlighted by media, almost daily protests ,silent and active vigils against ongoing genocide and starvation cases in Gaza Strip.

For drawing worldwide attention against Genocide in Gaza, war on Iran and Palestinians by Israel, suppression and deaths of innocent men, women & children, stoppage of aid, destroyed hospitals , flattened cities etc. demonstrations, strikes, vigils, sit downs, observing silence, raising of Palestinian flags etc are being regularly seen in Jerusalem, New York, Zurich, Berlin, The Hague, Stockholm, London, Columbia and many other countries. Further, Paris Saint-Germaine football fans gave the following powerful message during their Champion League Final :

Stop Genocide: Demonstrations against Israel

Elsa Auerbach, a Jewish author and daughter of a holocaust survivor of World War II has also eloquently spoken against mass deportations in U.S.A. and genocide in Gaza Strip.

Rabbi Elhanan Beck, speaking very passionately against atrocities in Gaza by Israel has stated that it was not the problem of religion, it was the problem of occupation.

Role of the United Nations

The U.N. and a few countries, apart from expressing concern have done nothing to take any meaningful and long lasting step to resolve the stalemate in Gaza Strip and establish a reign of peace, stability and order.

Israel not only is fond of opening many fronts at a time, it can pre- empt things much faster. Following such a time tested modus operandi, its Air Force carried out intense air strikes a month ago on mountains overlooking a Southern Lebanon city. As claimed by their miltary, these attacks severely targetted underground assets of Hezbollah. Air strikes were reported to be in two waves on the mountains overlooking Nabatiyeh. Dreaded bunker buster bombs, obviously procured from USA, struck a site utilised by Hezbollah to manage its fire and defence systems in the area. As it was part of a significant underground project, Israel could score a notable victory. However, this act of Israel was an unwanted and clear violation of C.F. reached with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024.

As ceasefires have been violated both vis a vis Hezbollah and Hamas, there is no guarantee that it will not be violated vis a vis Iran. Only difference could be : as opposed to H & H, Iran is a country, that too, it is not only stronger and better armed at present in comparison to Israel, it has shown its clear superiority in every aspect, during the 12 day war.

U.S. May Change Strategy

The U.S. under the leadership of Trump may not support Israel against Hezbollah and Iran again in the manner it did during last one year or just concluded war. He has to tackle embarassing country wide daily protests against forced deportations and similar protests worldwide against genocide in Gaza, thus sympathising with the long suffering and ostracized people.

President Trump also has to safeguard 30 bases of USA in the Middle East and keep long term interests of the country alive in the region. Harbinger of neo colonialism no longer gets dettered by setbacks and embarrassing withdrawals.

Latest round of talks by Egypt, Qatar and U.S.A. to resolve the Gaza Strip stalemate has begun at Doha on July 7 in the backdrop of killing of hundreds of Palestinians by Israeli strikes over the last two weeks. B.B., a cruel and inhuman Israeli leader, has once again spoken in non compromising voice that combat againstthe  Hamas was still in full force with air strikes being just the beginning.

Steve Military, Trump's Foreign Envoy expected to join the talks, has felt that there were still some sticking points but 10 Israeli hostages and 9 deceased were expected to be released. On their part, Hamas has stated that they were ready to return Israeli hostages in one day just on the guarantee that war will not come again after that to the besieged Enclave.

In a nutshell, it could be said that miseries are going to multiply in the Gaza Strip, though only 57 % of it is controlled by Israel. Once a prosperous oasis and commercial hub, life is not at all safe along this stretch of West side of Jordon river.

Palestinian Ambassador to U.N. has contended that eversince Israel broke the armistice in March 2025, over 1300 Palestinian children have died and 4000 have been injured. Sight of starving children and scenes of mothers embracing motionless bodies cannot be tolerated. U.N. Secretary General too has felt that aid operation n Gaza is inherently unsafe and people are being killed while trying to feed themselves and their children.

In view of perpetual depressing and pathetic scenario, balms of humanity, acts of justice and lasting peace are swiftly needed in Gaza Strip. It has been shattered, devastated and cut into pieces by Israel's Military, Air Force and Mossad with full knowledge of the area.

The USA and Israel should respect their obligations under international law and act with utmost restraint to avoid escalatory actions and provocative declarations.

(Author, a retired civil servant, formerly served as the Chief Secretary of Sikkim. Views are personal.)