Article by Eshaal Hassan, HSDA Muslim Caucus Editor-in-Chief. This article was published as a collaboration with the Muslim Caucus and the TPT and is also associated with their caucus publication “The Crescent” (logo given at the bottom).

After Hamas’ attack on Israel with the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, Israel invaded northern Gaza, killing more than 24,000 Palestinians. As of the 22nd of November, Qatar announces that Hamas and Israel have come to a truce. However, this truce does not ensure an end to the war.

The truce deal between the Israeli government and the militant group Hamas entails the following: a four-day pause in the fighting, a release of 50 Israeli hostages from Hamas, a release of 150 Palestinians from Israel and the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas took a total of 237 hostages on October 7 while Israel had an estimated 5,200 Palestinian prisoners before October 7 and added on 3,000 more since the war.

Despite the brief peace that the deal has brought, it is not enough for ceasefire activists to be satisfied. From the beginning of the Israeli invasion after the Hamas’ October 7 attacks, protests erupted across the world, calling for ceasefire. These protests have not stopped even with the truce because pro-Palestinians are demanding a permanent ceasefire – no exceptions.

The truce deal was not permanent. Even though the truce deal was extended by a few days, all good things came to an end. The truce was exterminated on the 1st of December as Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza with more civilian casualties. Israel expanded its invasion to only northern Gaza but also the south. Gazan citizens only received brief respite with the truce.

Gazan citizens do not only want a humanitarian pause but an actual ceasefire. A truce is a ceasefire by definition, but in the eyes of the Palestinians, seven days of skies clear from air strikes was almost worth nothing. To the Palestinians, a ceasefire means being allowed to return to their homes. According to the United Nations (UN), 1.6 million Palestinians have been displaced due to the war, and many have attempted to return to their homes during the truce just to be met with Israeli snipers. A ceasefire means to have access to food, water, and medicine. A ceasefire means to give Palestinians their “dignity” back by ending this war.

It's noteworthy that 80% of Democrats and 61% of all voters support a ceasefire, and the United Nations has passed a Resolution. advocating for one. Despite this widespread support, the Biden Administration maintains its stance against a ceasefire.

Countries such as Qatar, Egypt, the United Kingdom and the United States are trying to help Israel and Hamas renew their truce but to no avail; Hamas will only give more Israeli hostages if Israel gives more Palestinian prisoners. With the failed ceasefire, the war continues as the humanitarian emergency in Gaza escalates.

A truce is not a Ceasefire.