Agreement comes after Palestinians suffer the brunt of Israeli airstrikes for almost two weeks
(Photo courtesy of CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash)
Following 11 days of mutual airstrikes between Israelis and Hamas, the ruling Palestinian militant group in Gaza, a ceasefire has come into effect.
Both sides are claiming victory after the fighting resulted in the deaths of at least 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis.
Almost two weeks prior, violence erupted on May 10 as Gaza was bombed by Israel.
According to Global News, police fired stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets into a crowd of “stone-throwing protestors” on May 10 when Israel attempted to prevent Palestinian religious gatherings from taking place. Injuries were suffered on both sides.
Tensions further rose as Israel threatened to forcibly evict several Palestinian families in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah to build “new developments.”
Clashes between the two states are not uncommon. For over a century, Jews and Arabs have contested the city of Jerusalem. During the 1967 Mideast war, Israel captured east Jerusalem as well as West Bank and Gaza, though their annexation is not internationally recognized. According to Global News, Palestinians want these territories for their “future state.” As a result, tension persists between Israelis and Palestinians.
On May 10, Israelis gathered to celebrate Jerusalem Day, a celebration of Israel’s control over the city. Festivities often include marches through the Old City, and Palestinians consider this a provocation, especially in recent years where Jerusalem Day events extend into other parts of the city and lead to “violent altercations” between Israelis and Palestinians.
Clashes between the two states then occured at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest place in Islam referred to by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. Its walled plateau is simultaneously the holiest site for Jews who call it the Temple Mount.
Against Israeli regulations, Jewish residents have been visiting the area to pray in greater numbers than allowed by rules established in 1967, which Palestinians also view as a provocation.
According to Global News “some Israelis say the site should be open to all worshippers. The Palestinians refuse, fearing that Israel will eventually take over the site or partition it. Israeli officials say they have no intention of changing the status quo.”
A history of discriminatory policies has exacerbated these hostilities for years. Notably, Jewish residents born in east Jerusalem are considered Israeli citizens, but Palestinians are only provided a revocable residency, and applications for citizenship are “long and uncertain.”
So, following the conflict over religious worship and forced evictions, Israeli militants and Hamas proceeded to trade missile fire.
On May 15 the Israeli military claimed to have bombed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh, a top leader of the Hamas group, according to another article with Global News.
Further, the Israeli military deployed an airstrike that destroyed several offices belonging to The Associated Press (AP) and other media outlets. Staffers and tenants were fortunately evacuated before the 12-story building was struck thanks to a “telephoned warning” from the military. Still, the destruction of media outlets will limit news coverage of the violence in Gaza.
On May 18, Palestinians went on strike against Israeli policies, occupying West Bank in a “rare show of unity among Palestinian citizens of Israel,” said Global News.
The violence has sparked worldwide attention. The United Nations issued a statement on May 12 regarding what they called “the worst violence since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas” in a release from The Guardian. They urged for the violence to stop as to prevent a “full-scale war” from breaking out.
Since the initial altercations occurred, Canadian activists planned to gather in support of Palestine on May 15 in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. While pro-Palestinian protesters demanded an end to Israeli airstrikes over the Gaza Strip, pro-Israel rallies also took place.
To mitigate the violence between the two states, Canadian NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called upon the federal government to halt arms sales to Israel, according to CTV News. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had yet to indicate any such plans, although he later called for a ceasefire, stating on May 18 that Canada “will work with the international community to de-escalate” Israeli-Palestinian tensions as to prevent further loss of civilian life.
According to CBS News, United States President Biden said that he “expected a significant de-escalation on the path to a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas,” during a phone call on May 19 with Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel. However, in response Netanyahu said he was “determined to continue this operation until its aim is met,” reported Global News.
Netanyahu has since accepted a ceasefire proposal by Egypt, though he is being met with backlash from his hard-line, right-wing base who believe he ended the operation too soon.
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