On January 19, Israel agreed to a ceasefire after months of conflict in Gaza, allowing over half a million Palestinians to return to their homes that had been reduced to rubble.
Celebrations erupted across the Gaza Strip, marking what many hoped would be an end to the violence.
However, this moment of brief respite was quickly overshadowed as Israel redirected its aggression towards Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Israeli military launched a major offensive in Jenin, destroying homes, infrastructure, and essential resources, while forcibly displacing thousands.
For Palestinians, these actions are far from surprising; they have witnessed repeated breaches of ceasefire agreements by Israel with little to no consequences.
In fact, following the announcement of the ceasefire—brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt—Israeli forces reportedly violated the agreement 962 times according to Palestinian officials.
As Israel resumed attacks in Gaza, the situation continued to escalate.
Many Palestinian Americans have expressed overwhelming feelings of survivor’s guilt, torn between their lives in the U.S. and the devastation currently unfolding in Gaza.
Danna Younis, a Palestinian student and professor at San Diego University, shared, “I feel a lot of rage.”
Another Palestinian creative, who chose to remain anonymous, conveyed feelings of despair and a desperate desire for a solution.
As global attention waned, many in the Palestinian community feel that non-Palestinians are overlooking the continued suffering.
JamalEdeen, a Palestinian American residing in Los Angeles, articulated his frustration: “The day they announced the ceasefire, they killed over 70 Palestinians.
How can we trust these occupiers, when we have experienced their lies for generations?”
Palestinian Americans report that the breach of the ceasefire has profoundly impacted their mental and emotional states.
Hanna, a Palestinian American, noted the divisive effect it has had on her relationships, stating that people’s silence on the issue has changed how she perceives them.
Images of destruction serve as a constant reminder of the suffering faced by Gazans, both before and after January’s ceasefire announcement.
Despite the ongoing violence and consistent attempts to crush hope, the Palestinian spirit remains resilient.
Younis asserts, “Determination is in our blood, it’s in our DNA.” Her son echoes this sentiment, stating, “Perseverance is a part of the Palestinian DNA.”
In the wake of the October 7 events, JamalEdeen experienced a whirlwind of emotions, admitting he feared witnessing atrocities such as this in his lifetime.
For years, discussing the Israeli colonization of Palestine was often avoided in America due to its perceived complexity and the intense reactions it provoked.
However, many Palestinians have noted a shift in public consciousness and allyship regarding their plight, with Hanna stating, “I’ve been surprised by how much people care because I’m so used to people not caring.”
As the situation worsens, Palestinian Americans are emphasizing the necessity for urgent action towards their liberation.
The calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza are just the starting point.
Younis has advocated for civil disobedience, urging that, “We cannot pay taxes to a country that uses our money to fund genocide.”
Since the ceasefire’s breakdown, activists across the globe have increased their demands for justice, suggesting that political advocacy alone may not be enough to effect substantial change.
Hanna expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of traditional political channels, stating, “I think that’s the biggest fraud or scam that we’ve all been sold, that there’s representative democracy.”
Since the launch of Israel’s recent military action, there have been over 400 million emails demanding a ceasefire and more than 12,000 demonstrations across the United States.
Reports indicate that support for Palestine is gaining momentum, especially among younger Americans eager to find ways to promote change.
Activists encourage actions like joining campaigns against corporations complicit in the conflict, participating in unions, and forming personal connections with those in Gaza for fundraising purposes.
A Palestinian American emphasized the interconnectedness of struggles, stating, “We’ve learned that both administrations don’t have our best interest at heart, including other vulnerable groups.”
As Israel has killed over 5,000 Palestinians since the ceasefire was broken, the message from the Palestinian American community remains clear: their fight for liberation continues unwaveringly.
In the face of oppression, resilience is what defines them, and they pledge that Palestine will rise again.
image source from：knock-la
