while this ceasefire news is certainly cause for celebration, i do hope that all of us in the west remember that the nightmare is not actually over.
i spoke with my friend siraj @siraj2024 about this and he had this to say:
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, many residents are still suffering from the devastating repercussions of the war, which has left widespread destruction in homes and infrastructure. Although the truce has contributed to stopping the violent bombing, the reality on the ground still holds great challenges for civilians, as many are still in urgent need of tents as temporary shelter. The destruction of homes as a result of continuous bombing throughout the conflict has left many families in Gaza homeless, and tents are the only solution available to some at the present time. Even with the cessation of fighting, the reconstruction process remains complex and time-consuming, especially in light of the restrictions on construction materials and the deteriorating economic conditions. Therefore, the tent becomes a temporary hope for many families facing harsh conditions.
echoing his point here - it doesn't seem like the blockade, which has only gotten more restrictive since october 2023, will be removed as part of this deal. associated press said last october that under such conditions, it will take gaza 350 years to rebuild itself completely. this isn't even getting into the fact that the iof will definitely escalate attacks in the final days before the ceasefire comes into effect, and almost certainly break the ceasefire afterward.
i don't want us to feel like we have to stop celebrating, but we do have to face the facts. we can carry the hope this news has brought us into action to continue to help the people who need it most. and i hope we can start with siraj. consult this post for my most recent summary of his situation, or read through his blog for more information.
tl;dr is that he had two gofundme campaigns that were unjustly terminated, and he lost around $27,000 USD as a result. he is now fundraising on chuffed. he's a father of three and breadwinner for 23 other people, including 10 children. he's been fundraising for a tent because he lost the means to pay rent for an apartment. tents, along with most supplies, are incredibly expensive due to the blockade. lets start here.
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