Exactly two years ago, the process that began with Hamas's "Aqsa Flood" attacks led to the massacre of more than 67,000 people by Israel. This number does not reflect the truth. When the remains and the losses are considered, the number of people killed is much higher. Indeed, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese stated, "The true death toll in Gaza may be 680,000." Israel has trampled humanity in the 21st century. It has committed genocide. The US has become a major accomplice to this crime through its support for Israel. If people had not stepped out of their comfort zones and voiced their conscience, crimes against humanity would still be committed.
The overwhelming outcry in the name of humanity forced the US to bring Israel to the negotiating table. Trump's statement, "I spoke with Netanyahu. I told him: 'Israel cannot fight the world, Bibi. You cannot fight the world,' confirms this. A ceasefire was reached with the contributions of Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar." I see that the main debate after the ceasefire is "who won?" War is the greatest disaster that can befall humanity. Therefore, humanity has been the primary victor.
The situation that emerged after two years of conflict allows us to draw some conclusions about the future of the Palestinian issue. Above all, it has become clear that the Palestinians will not give up their land and will not succumb even to the genocide committed against them. This stance is crucial for Palestine's future. It has also confirmed to the world that if a state is to be established, it is a people ready to die for it.
Regarding Hamas, it must be noted that Hamas has maintained its organizational structure in Gaza despite Israel's devastating attacks. This preservation has made Hamas a leader in the Palestinian issue. Furthermore, many Western countries have been forced to address Hamas, which they consider a "terrorist organization," in the Palestinian cause.
The fact that Hamas has not experienced internal disintegration despite the loss of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian lives and has secured the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners from different Palestinian groups has paved the way for the unification of the Palestinian cause. Palestinians see a "Hamas" that hasn't been defeated by Israel. This has earned Hamas widespread public support. Palestinians have come to see Hamas as the key element in resolving the issue.
With the "Aqsa Flood," Hamas has brought the Palestinian issue back to the center of the global agenda and resurfaced the "State of Palestine," which had been virtually undiscussed in recent years. Similarly, after 2023, most of the states that recognized Palestine as a state were major European countries. This number reached 157, representing three-quarters of the world.
Another significant Palestinian achievement has been the shift in global perception of Israel. Israel has shifted from being described as "a state whose people suffered genocide to a nation whose state commits genocide." It wouldn't be wrong to say that Israel's years of propaganda, which has spent millions of dollars, have been wasted.
In addition to all this, the aftermath of the "Aqsa Flood" and the UN's estimate of the loss of nearly 700,000 people could be brought into question through Hamas if peace cannot be achieved. Hamas could become a "leader" who fails to achieve results, which would create a new rift for the Palestinians. On the other hand, if the ceasefire paves the way for a Palestinian state, Hamas will become the central element in governing that state. Achieving a ceasefire and thus fostering a future environment of peace will never exonerate Israel. Israel's actions encompass every word of the International Criminal Court's definition of genocide. Those who perpetrated this genocide must be held accountable in the name of humanity.
