The tragic tale of the fuel truck
In the realm of Palestinian struggle, the words of Ghassan Kanafani’s novel, “Why did not they knock on the tank,” resonate with enduring significance. This poignant tale, deeply ingrained in Palestinian culture, vividly portrays the plight of expelled Palestinians seeking refuge in a fuel truck crossing the Arabian desert. Tragically, their hesitance to alert the driver led to their untimely demise, underscoring the weight of fear in such dire circumstances.
Lebanon 1982: a pivotal juncture
Reflecting on history, we’re transported to a pivotal juncture nearly four decades past, when Israeli occupation ignited a fervent campaign and waged a significant war against Lebanon. The summer of 1982 witnessed an extensive invasion of Lebanese soil, culminating in the occupation of Beirut, the capital city. This period was marked by relentless bombardments and support for factions embroiled in the Lebanese civil war. At its core, the objective was to suppress the diverse ideological factions fueling the Palestinian revolution, all united by a shared goal: the liberation of occupied territories and the return of millions of Palestinian refugees to their homeland, seeking respite from the hardships of the diaspora, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
Shifting alliances and unfolding tragedy
As Western governments shift towards supporting unwarranted aggression against the Gaza Strip, a pressing question arises: What has spurred this transition from steadfast backing of the just Palestinian cause to endorsing the occupiers and their transgressions? This endorsement transcends political stances, encompassing financial aid and potentially even direct military assistance in the days ahead.
Confronting the invader’s narrative
The Palestinians, unwavering in their identity, confront the same occupying force that once invaded Beirut. The factions pursuing liberation remain steadfast. Now, it’s alarmingly straightforward to embrace the aggressor’s narrative, evident to the world as they unleash bombs upon civilians, while the stories of the fallen fade into the background. These victims, tragically, find themselves defenseless in the face of such widely publicized atrocities. What has transpired to ensnare us in a war machine that exacts a daily toll of death and displacement upon millions of innocent civilians?
On the seventh of October, just a week ago, Palestinian factions led by Hamas initiated a pre-emptive military operation targeting military sites in the Gaza envelope. This operation included the incursion into settlements to execute the largest capture of Israeli soldiers. It’s essential to note that in the occupation state, military service is mandatory for both men and women, extending for at least three years, followed by annual month-long training for reserve forces. This reality underscores that inhabitants of the settlements, both young men and women, have served in the occupation army, forming an integral part of its military structure.
Escalating tragedy and a growing crisis
The resistance achieved a significant breakthrough in breaching the military and security apparatuses set by the occupation to besiege the Gaza Strip. It attained some of its goals after intelligence revealed the occupation’s intent to attack immediately following the religious holiday. This prompted the proactive Palestinian operation to pressure negotiations for the sake of prisoners and prevent escalation to preserve lives. However, the response was a massive mobilization of Western media, with the unreserved endorsement of the American president and his government, propagating a false narrative with no substantiating evidence. This led to an onslaught supported by unprecedented American backing, resulting in the targeting of residential towers, hospitals, and even ambulances, leaving the Gaza Strip nearly scorched earth.
The occupation continues to issue contradictory directives to the population in the Gaza Strip, urging evacuation from certain areas only to bomb them during the evacuation process, pushing civilians to the brink. The Strip has become devoid of safe havens, including shelters, hospitals, and even UNRWA facilities, where over 200,000 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, have sought refuge. Hospitals are being emptied and patients are evacuated to become direct targets.
The aggression on the Gaza Strip, now in its seventh day, has seen an escalating number of casualties, with over 2,000 dead and 8,000 wounded, a significant portion being women and children. Hundreds of families remain trapped beneath the rubble of their demolished homes.
As the tragedy unfolds, we’re reminded of our proximity to this harsh reality, seen through screens and heard in the testimonies of friends and relatives in the Gaza Strip. We’re not insulated from the targeting circle, especially as the escalation on the southern border of Lebanon threatens to extend this tragedy to us soon.
Attempts to communicate with friends have been in vain, given reports of internet cutoffs in the Strip, further isolating us from the ground reality. This conflict, driven by a desire for a twisted form of justice, threatens to complete the Nakba, displacing remaining Palestinian victims to a bleaker fate in a new and seemingly endless diaspora.
Bassam JAMIL – Wavel Camp – Lebanon
Reviewed and edited by Dan ROMEO