Middle East Press On: Ramadan, Gaza, Palestinians, Arab, Israel: New Age Islam's Selection, 4 March 2025
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
4 March 2025
Ramadan In Gaza Sees Palestinians Caught Between Resilience And Starvation
Arab Leaders Must Embrace Multipolarity To Counter Trump’s Gaza Plan
Israel And Its Supporters Struggle To Hide Behind The Last Fig Leaf Of Decency
Reset In Ties Expected As Riyadh Welcomes New Lebanese President
Accountability Is Only For Israelis, Not Palestinians
Israel Must Use Every Tool To Force Hamas Compliance To Release Remaining Hostages
A Look In Between Sanctity And Tension During Ramadan In Israel
Israel’s Wars Against Jihadi Terrorists Concern Intersections Between Death And Time
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Ramadan In Gaza Sees Palestinians Caught Between Resilience And Starvation
By Sara El Khatib
March 3, 2025
Ramadan began at the weekend, and Muslims around the world are now engaged in a month of fasting, extra prayers and communal gatherings. In Gaza, though, there is no festive spirit. With Israel’s continued blockade and its decision to block humanitarian aid, Palestinians are again facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.
Despite Israel’s announcement that it had agreed to US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas during Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that all humanitarian aid into Gaza would be blocked. This move is intended to put pressure on Hamas to extend the now-expired first phase of the ceasefire agreement signed in January. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has stressed that international humanitarian law mandates the unhindered access of humanitarian assistance, and has described Israel’s decision as alarming.
Since the agreement began, Israel has repeatedly violated the truce, killing 116 Palestinians and wounding nearly 500. Moreover, Israel delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, despite Hamas fulfilling its commitment by freeing six Israelis last month. These continued violations over the past two months have fuelled concerns that Israel intends to escalate the conflict, further endangering millions of lives already on the brink of famine, with nearly no access to healthcare or housing.
Even before Israel’s latest announcement, images from Gaza have laid bare the brutal realities of war, despite the ceasefire. As Muslims around the world go through Ramadan knowing that food and water are available to break their daily fast, Palestinians in Gaza are struggling to find the bare necessities to survive. While families have made attempts to mark the holy month, with tables of food set out among the ruins in Rafah and Beit Lahia, for example, as symbols of resilience and hope, their efforts are overshadowed by the worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel’s decision to further restrict aid has already caused a surge in prices, leaving many unable to afford food as they brace for a potential escalation.
Netanyahu’s administration is already facing mounting public anger for failing to secure the release of Israelis held in Gaza during 15 months of genocidal war. Furthermore, despite months of military operations, Israel has not been able to destroy Hamas, which has continued to assert control over Gaza, which was made evident during the recent hostage exchanges.
For Palestinians, a return to war would have devastating consequences, particularly as the humanitarian crisis becomes increasingly dire, even in the absence of open fighting. International organisations such as UNICEF have stressed that while the ceasefire provided an opportunity to scale up aid delivery, the level of destruction and overwhelming need far exceed available resources. The World Food Programme has also noted that over two million Palestinians in Gaza are homeless and completely dependent on food aid for survival. With Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance, the lives of millions are at immediate risk; the crisis will only deepen if the Israeli offensive resumes.
It is imperative that international bodies, mediators and humanitarian organisations apply pressure to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that unrestricted aid access is granted, as per international law, resolutions and the International Court of Justice. The suffering of millions in Gaza should not be exacerbated by political manoeuvring, and humanitarian aid and access to those in need should not be restricted by political agendas. To respond to these urgent needs genuine negotiations among all parties are necessary but, above all, the use of humanitarian aid as a bargaining tool to achieve political goals must end. Upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring the immediate flow of aid to Gaza must be an urgent global priority.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250303-ramadan-in-gaza-sees-palestinians-caught-between-resilience-and-starvation/
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Arab Leaders Must Embrace Multipolarity To Counter Trump’s Gaza Plan
By Muhamad Mansor
March 3, 2025
In the aftermath of Trump’s ludicrous Gaza plan, which has now been watered down, Arab leaders have been scrambling to present a counterproposal — one that doesn’t spell disaster for them, unlike Trump’s brazen scheme to have the US “take over” Gaza while forcing millions of Palestinians into exile in other Arab countries.
With the emergency Arab League Summit in Cairo being held tomorrow, efforts to finalise a concrete plan have taken on greater urgency. On 21 February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman hosted Arab leaders in Riyadh for an “informal gathering” aimed at formulating a unified response. Once finalised, the plan is expected to be presented at the upcoming Arab League meeting.
However, unlike their immediate and forceful rejection of Trump’s proposal, this time, the Arab leaders’ response has been noticeably vague. In stark contrast to standard protocol, the Riyadh meeting concluded with no final communiqué, no press conference and no official details — just a single photograph of leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain standing shoulder to shoulder. This glaring silence suggests that, as of now, there is still no concrete counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan.
This may be due to several fundamental problems. First among them is the stark absence of the clause “self-determination” for the Palestinians, which by now should be understood as non-negotiable. In fact, Trump’s original plan sought to deny this principle altogether in the most simplistic and unrealistic way — by proposing that the US would “take over” and “own” Gaza while forcibly displacing its population — a policy amounting to ethnic cleansing.
Unfortunately, the counterproposals floated so far also fail to address this principle. At best, they focus narrowly on rebuilding genocide-torn Gaza while sidestepping the critical question of governance. Others suggest handing it over to another widely unpopular, corrupt Palestinian faction to assume full responsibility.
At worst, they mirror Trump’s colonial mindset — such as the proposal by Israeli opposition leaders to have Egypt assume control over Gaza. Palestinian resistance group Hamas has already made it clear that it will never allow any foreign force in Gaza and that it “will deal with them as occupation forces.” And believe me, they will.
Another unresolved sticking point is who will finance Gaza’s reconstruction. A joint assessment by the United Nations, European Union and World Bank estimates that rebuilding Gaza will cost over $50 billion, with at least $20 billion needed in the first three years alone. Thus, Trump’s proposed takeover of Gaza may well be a ploy to pressure wealthy Gulf states into footing the bill. While he has since walked back his demand that Arab nations accept displaced Palestinians, he is now waiting for Arab leaders to propose an alternative — one that would see them pay for reconstruction while the US reaps the political benefits. All of this has left Arab leaders between a rock and a hard place. They must formulate a proposal that satisfies both the Palestinian people and their own citizens while also navigating the many red lines set by Israel and its staunchest ally, the US.
As the old adage goes, in situations like this, we must think outside the box. For Arab leaders, that means thinking beyond the framework of the US-led world order, which has become obsolete anyway. In this regard, they should embrace the multipolarity of the current global landscape, where multiple centres of power influence international affairs, economies and policies.
The global landscape in 2025 will be very different from that of 2017 when Trump first took office. Even his own administration acknowledges this shift. In his inaugural address, Trump signaled restraint, stating that: “We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end – and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.”
Talks of a potential “New Yalta Conference” are already gaining traction, especially amid reports that Trump will join Chinese President Xi Jinping at Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Even Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has conceded that the world is returning to a multipolar structure.
This is a reality Arab leaders must embrace and leverage. While the Middle East remains largely within Washington’s sphere of influence, several countries have already begun hedging their bets in anticipation of Trump’s return by engaging with other centres of power, especially China. Some have even grown into regional powers themselves. By leveraging this shifting geopolitical landscape, Arab leaders can craft a far more effective approach to the Gaza crisis — one that is not dictated by Washington’s interests.
First, Arab leaders should engage the broader international community to push for a Palestinian-led solution in Gaza. European nations — many of whom are increasingly critical of Israel — could serve as strategic partners, particularly as divisions within the transatlantic alliance deepen under Trump’s leadership.
Second, on the question of reconstruction, expertise from East Asia — particularly China and Japan — could be far more effective than a US-led effort. More importantly, by internationalising the rebuilding effort, Arab leaders could push for greater accountability from the Zionist regime in accordance with international law. There is no question that Israel should shoulder the financial responsibility for reconstructing Gaza, which it has utterly destroyed.
Even if this demand is not met, Gaza’s wealthy Gulf neighbours are more than capable of funding the effort — but only under conditions that ensure a just and lasting peace. Unlike previous deals, this time, Arab leaders should not allow their financial contributions to come with political strings attached. Trump, as transactional as he is, may find such an arrangement appealing. But in a multipolar world, he must also understand that those who contribute nothing no longer get to dictate the terms. Trump cannot have his cake and eat it too. The 1948 Marshall Plan for postwar Europe serves as a case in point.
Ultimately, Arab leaders must recognise that the only way to deal with a bully like Trump is to stand up to him. And as they gather for the emergency Arab League Summit, perhaps the best way to do so is by reminding him that he is no longer the only power in the room.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250303-arab-leaders-must-embrace-multipolarity-to-counter-trumps-gaza-plan/
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Israel And Its Supporters Struggle To Hide Behind The Last Fig Leaf Of Decency
By Yvonne Ridley
March 3, 2025
The UK’s Queen Victoria (1819-1901) commissioned a fig leaf to cover Michelangelo’s statue of David because she was said to be shocked by the nudity. Ever since then the humble fig leaf has been used as a euphemism to censor, protect and control what society can see, read or think. No matter that the addition of Victoria’s fig leaves damaged some priceless works of art, we the commoners must be protected because of the views of the few in the ranks of the British Establishment.
You may well laugh at the absurdity of this false Victorian modesty but the act of fig leaf censorship is alive and kicking in Britain today. Unless our views are aligned perfectly with the ruling classes in Westminster we must be kept from seeing the full picture.
This nanny-state attitude is in evidence everywhere in Sir Keir Starmer’s Britain, especially when it comes to Zionism. Starmer has already proudly declared that he is a Zionist and gives unconditional support to Israel. Not only that, but he also expects us all to follow him blindly.
On Planet Starmer that is the only conclusion that politicians and right-wing journalists can draw as they drag out the discredited International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism which insists that any attempts to “draw comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” are “anti-Semitic”.
My friends @TorahJews say it that is definitely not; they are anti-Zionist and anti-Israel, but I can only judge Israel by its actions, and to starve a whole population is a very Nazi thing to do. Desecrating graves, brutalising prisoners and killing babies all come from the Nazi playbook, as the thugs in the Israel Defence Forces know too well. Which explains the way that the IDF keeps Israel’s brutal military occupation going; and why members of the IDF are being investigated for war crimes using legislation used at Nuremberg Trials of those suspected (rightly) or war crimes after the Second World War.
This was certainly not lost on the late Gerald Kaufman MP whose seismic speech shook the foundations of the Palace of Westminster when he compared Israel to Nazi Germany.
“My grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her home town,” explained Kaufman. “A German soldier shot her dead in her bed… My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian grandmothers in Gaza.”
Israel’s frequent wars in Gaza escalated in October 2023 since when, to our horror, a genocide has unfolded in real time on smart phone and TV screens. Supporters of Zionist Israel, such as the current UK government (more than 50 per cent of the Cabinet are under the ‘patronage’ of Labour Friends of Israel and other pro-Israel lobby groups) have started plastering fig leaves all over Israel to try and cover up its genocidal behaviour.
The national broadcaster has gone to extreme lengths to manipulate the truth and remove any possible blame from Israel for the deaths of Palestinians who simply “die” rather than get killed, bombed or otherwise murdered by Israeli soldiers. Its use of euphemistic language insults the minimum of 48,500 Palestinians who’ve been killed in Gaza by Israeli bombs and missiles bought for the occupation regime by the US and Europe. The BBC has also just pulled a documentary about Gaza because of the pro-Israel lobby’s shrill voices and Establishment access.
The breakdown of the ceasefire is what the BBC calls a mere “bump in the road” whereas the Arab media are reporting that the Israeli occupation army has committed more than 900 violations of the ceasefire agreement since it came into effect on 19 January, resulting in the killing and wounding of hundreds of Palestinians across the Strip.
I have written to my local Member of Parliament to complain and, to be fair to him, he passes on my concerns to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office who spit back the most weak and pathetic responses denying this. Incredibly, the FCDO can stampede over the bodies of dead babies in Gaza to defend those who killed them, plastering the modern equivalent of Victorian fig leaves over every act of dishonesty and aggression carried out by Israel.
The fig leaf which has already fallen away is the claim that Israel has the right to defend itself against the people living under its brutal occupation; it doesn’t. And, in any case, when did rape become an act of self-defence? Society is so sick in Israel that Meir Ben-Shitrit, the soldier at the centre of the infamous gang rape of Palestinians at the Sde Teiman detention centre, has become a media star rather than a social outcast.
We know about the brutality in Israeli prisons where men are raped to death by their jailers, and the war crime of starving an entire population. We know. I am sure that Starmer hopes that the video of him claiming that, “Israel has a right to defend herself” will have disappeared by the next General Election.
The truth is, Israel’s blocking of aid into Gaza will be “devastating” for the Palestinians, where seven newborn babies have already died this weekend from hypothermia, according to UNICEF. Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, is concerned that the potential ceasefire breakdown could see more deaths of Palestinian children.
“The aid restrictions announced yesterday will severely compromise lifesaving operations for civilians,” said Beigbeder. “It is imperative that the ceasefire – a critical lifeline for children – remains in place, and that aid is allowed to flow freely so we can continue to scale up the humanitarian response. The ceasefire must hold and more aid must be allowed in to prevent further suffering and loss of life.”
Oxfam has described Israel’s blocking of Gaza aid a “reckless act of collective punishment.” Collective punishment is “explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law.”
The Director General of the Gaza Government Media Office, Ismail Thawabta has pointed out that violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel include blocking the entry of 260,000 tents and prefabricated houses for Palestinians whose homes have been destroyed by Israel along with a great deal of other civilian infrastructure. And, yes, that’s another potential series of war crimes.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted 42 days, ended officially over the weekend, without Israel agreeing to enter the second phase and end the war. The obstruction, as always, lies with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is forever moving the goalposts. Perhaps he is too concerned about the corruption charges that he is facing.
And to those who continue to call me a Hamas apologist, I say this. Israel’s disgraceful track record on the international stage has seen it blatantly ignore or violate more than 200 UN resolutions and sanctions. It’s worth remembering that George W Bush and Tony Blair claimed that their invasion of Iraq and subsequent war was entirely justified because Saddam Hussein had ignored or violated around a dozen UN sanctions.
In the words of James E. Jennings, President of Conscience International, Zionism is broken and almost finished. If true, it has come at a great cost to the Palestinians in Gaza, which is why it is now more important than ever to keep on talking about Palestine, not least the deliberate targeting of healthcare workers and doctors by the Zionist State of Israel, such as Hussam Abu Safiya.
And we mustn’t forget about the occupied West Bank, which US lawmakers are being urged to call “Judea and Samaria” by order of the Israel lobby. War crimes are on open display there every day and have been for decades: every Israeli settlement in occupied Palestine is a war crime; and every illegal settler living there is a war crime; and every Palestinian arrested in the occupied West Bank and incarcerated in an Israeli prison is a war crime.
Israel treats international laws and conventions with contempt. It is aided and abetted in this normalised criminality by successive governments in the US and the UK, among others. Which is why we must treat pompous statements by the likes of Keir Starmer and his gang of Zionists in parliament with equal contempt.
There is no fig leaf big enough to disguise Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity; or its evil genocide. It’s guilty of committing all three, and proud of it. It’s time to condemn any pretentious claims to the contrary.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250303-israel-and-its-supporters-struggle-to-hide-behind-the-last-fig-leaf-of-decency/
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Reset In Ties Expected As Riyadh Welcomes New Lebanese President
Faisal J. Abbas
March 02, 2025
A reset in Saudi-Lebanese ties is expected as President Joseph Aoun arrives in Riyadh on Monday, his first international destination since his election on Jan. 9.
This is significant because Saudi-Lebanese relations have been deteriorating since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 at the hands of Hezbollah. Although Riyadh never broke off bilateral ties officially, the relationship with Beirut has lacked warmth and eventually worsened, given Hezbollah’s provocative statements, its role in exporting captagon and even its provision of military aid and expertise to the Kingdom’s enemies.
Aoun — who was elected without interference from Hezbollah or the Assad regime, given the dramatic changes that saw the former weakened and the latter collapse last December — is expected to reach out to reset the relationship with the Kingdom, where more than 100,000 Lebanese live and work. It is also hoped that a ban on Saudis traveling to Lebanon will be lifted.
In his inaugural address, President Aoun sent several — and long-awaited — reassuring messages. He pledged to fight corruption and restrict the right to bear arms and declare war to the government exclusively. And addressing Gulf countries, Aoun pledged that Lebanon will only export “the best of what it has.”
His pledges have been warmly welcomed. In a recent interview, former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal expressed optimism over the changes occurring in Lebanon.
Talking to Arab News’ “Frankly Speaking” program, he said: “The Kingdom has wholeheartedly supported the actions of the Lebanese parliament in electing the president.”
He rightly pointed out that the Lebanese people were tired of having to be the sacrificial lamb, “for either sectarian or other political factions, whether they be Hezbollah or some other Lebanese parties in the course of the development in the future.”
Prince Turki also said that what he hears from Saudis is “that they’re willing and anxious to be able to go back to Lebanon. Those who have not invested yet, I think, are also thinking of the opportunities there.”
The prince’s sentiments were corroborated by the Lebanese ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Fawzi Kabbara. Writing in this newspaper in an exclusive column, Dr. Kabbara states that Aoun’s visit to Riyadh is not just an exercise in diplomacy, but “a pivotal moment that could redefine Lebanese-Saudi relations.”
Dr. Kabbara points out that Saudi Arabia’s support is more significant than ever, serving as a beacon of hope and opportunity for Lebanon’s future.
As such, it is highly likely that Saudi-Lebanese ties are set to soar following the president’s visit. But Lebanon’s road to recovery is going to be a bumpy one; this is why a firm and determined president such as Joseph Aoun deserves full support from Saudi Arabia and the world at large.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592182
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Accountability Is Only For Israelis, Not Palestinians
Chris Doyle
March 03, 2025
Who knows if there will ever come a day when a single accepted version of what happened on Oct. 7, 2023, gets a consensus? The main elements are known: the killing of about 1,200 people and the taking of more than 250 hostages. But much is still subject to furious debate both inside Israel and beyond. Many Israelis want a full national inquiry.
An Israeli military investigation reported its findings last week. Its unsurprising conclusion was that the military failed to protect civilians. Yet the findings in this 19-page report do bear further examination.
Israel underestimated Hamas at all levels. When you have a dehumanized view of the people you are occupying, this can be the case. The Israeli military had long since ceased respecting the capabilities of Hamas and was complacent. This is the underlying attitudinal reason why it failed to believe that more than 5,000 Hamas fighters could break through into Israel.
The report reveals an enduring misreading of a population under occupation — that it would be cowed by pressure. “The belief was that Hamas could be influenced through pressures that would reduce its motivation for war, primarily by improving living conditions in the Gaza Strip,” it stated. But Palestinians living in Gaza, not just members of Hamas, had very little to lose.
A key area of dispute is how many Israeli civilians were killed by Israeli forces. “There was significant difficulty distinguishing between troops, civilians and terrorists,” the report found. One media investigation attributed at least 19 Israeli deaths to the Israeli military and police, while arguing that the figure could be higher.
The most furious debates and arguments have been over the extent of sexual abuse and rapes carried out by the attackers. This may never be determined but a March 2024 report by the UN concluded that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence — including rape and gang rape — occurred.” The trouble is that certain accounts were debunked but not all. Many accuse Israel of atrocity propaganda, trying to maximize support for the slaughter in Gaza through such stories. Far less attention has been paid to the sexual abuse and rape perpetrated against Palestinian detainees.
Yet, whatever the truth of these debates, the reality is that Hamas committed mass atrocities on Oct. 7. They were war crimes. In Gaza, one can debate the number of innocent Palestinian civilians Israel has killed, but there can be no debate about the war crimes and crimes against humanity Israel has perpetrated. For example, the siege Israel has just reimposed is collective punishment of a civilian population under occupation, which is a war crime.
These crimes have taken place, yet who carries the can? In terms of the Oct. 7 failings, the Israeli military’s chief of staff has stood down. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi admitted his responsibility. The Israeli military’s intelligence chief also resigned last April. Others may fall on their sword.
But the question many Israelis ask is: when will a political leader accept responsibility? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to. He will not countenance a national inquiry until after the war ends, which by the looks of things could be years, not months.
But the PM has been at fault. He and his extremist coalition were concentrating on expanding settlements in the West Bank and pushing Palestinians off their land. Israeli military resources were diverted there to assist the settlers in intimidating the Palestinians.
Netanyahu has for years been only too happy to use Hamas as a tool against the Palestine Liberation Organization and Fatah. Adopting a divide and conquer approach, he refused to countenance any form of resolution to the wider conflict, not least a Palestinian state.
What the military report does not deal with is the decades-long Israeli failure in Gaza. Some Israelis, Netanyahu included, considered it to be a success. Palestine was divided demographically, geographically and politically. Yet this was only ever a mirage.
Israel hits Gaza hard, continually. But its leaders miss the big picture. Smashing Gaza creates eternal enemies, not friends. It undermines security rather than building it. New generations of Palestinians will not hesitate to join groups that will arm and train them to fight Israel. With no jobs, no horizon and no future, young men in Gaza will take little persuasion. This is why Israel has been fighting Hamas since 1987.
While Israelis can review this military investigation into Oct. 7 and demand a full national inquiry, who in Israel is demanding an inquiry into the atrocities perpetrated in Gaza? This will not happen, save for perhaps a propaganda stunt. Hamas will certainly not mount an inquiry into its actions.
In earlier Israeli wars on Gaza, international powers used to demand a proper international investigation. Aside from those principled states that have backed South Africa’s case under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, barely a single leader of a major power has demanded such an investigation this time.
Justice and accountability are for Israelis only. Palestinians can only dream that someone may one day be held to account for the murder of their loved ones.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592278
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Israel Must Use Every Tool To Force Hamas Compliance To Release Remaining Hostages
By Jpost Editorial
March 4, 2025
Sunday and Monday were two days in a row when thousands of people lined the streets of Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion, and the highways and entrances flanking the southern kibbutzim for the funerals of slain hostages Shlomo Mantzur and Itzhak Elgarat, as they were laid to rest in Kissufim and Nir Oz, respectively.
The nightmarish scenario of burying people who were kidnapped from their homes was slightly relieved only by the show of solidarity from the thousands who stood on the sides of highways, the flags they held signaling a promise to honor, remember, and fight for a better future.
Talks continue to stall on the advancement of the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal to phase two – which both Israel and Hamas signed for – which is set to include the return of all the hostages, alive and killed, and a withdrawal of Israeli forces. What is looking more and more likely is a return to fighting and an indefinite pause in hostage releases, unless external pressure – i.e. American – succeeds in breaking the impasse.
Everyone wants the hostages home; how to go about it is the subject of disagreement. But, as so many released hostages consistently say in their brave testimonies, the captives are living in an underground hell that must end. Time must be the determining factor in the next stages.
The people must keep pushing for their earliest return. The clarity and urgency of this cause might become hazy, especially as the number of hostages drops. It might seem like the urgency is less now because there are fewer hostages and dozens are dead.
The duty is to bring them all back as soon as possible, those alive to their families and to begin healing, and the bodies to proper burial.
Danny Elgarat, Itzhak’s brother, said at his funeral on Monday, “You are home. You came home. We promised, cried it out from every stage we could, that this is what we would do, that you would come home.”
Danny is someone who indeed fought in every way he could for his brother’s return, as all the hostage families have done in the way they deemed right for them.
Rachel Danzig, Itzhak’s sister, said on Monday, “You are up there with... our parents, looking down on us, sending us love. I am down here, a survivor from Kibbutz Nir Oz... We came here so many years ago and gave so much of ourselves. We got so much in return – until it was all taken away. The ground turned into a field of death and blood; the army didn’t come. They took you and the father of my children, Alexander Danzig, to dark, hellish tunnels. You didn’t return [alive]. We failed.”
Israel to have US backing in any decision
US President Donald Trump has already stated that he will support any decision Israel takes concerning Gaza and Hamas. The terrorist organization has already rejected special envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal for a continuation of phase one of the hostage deal. In light of Hamas’s continued intransigence, the Israeli government made the necessary decision on Saturday night to halt humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. This move is essential to exert maximum pressure on Hamas, making it clear that as long as it holds hostages and refuses a deal, it will bear the full consequences of its actions.
Though Israel has long provided humanitarian aid to Gaza – even after October 7 and while more than 200 hostages remain captive – this generosity has been exploited. Innocent Israeli civilians are being held underground in dire conditions, without food, running water, or fresh air, while Hamas manipulates international aid for its own survival. The time for half-measures is over.
Israel must now do everything possible to prevent a return to war while ensuring that Hamas has no choice but to release the hostages. Every available diplomatic, economic, and military tool should be leveraged to force Hamas into compliance. The path forward must be one of strength and resolve – not indefinite waiting, but unyielding pressure that leads to the hostages’ swift return.
Our healing, as a nation, can only begin once all the hostages are home, and not in a process that leaves them there for an indefinite period. Therefore, we need to be tough and demand what is just and proper – Hamas must release our hostages, all of them.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-844551
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A Look In Between Sanctity And Tension During Ramadan In Israel
By Nai’l Zu’abi
March 4, 2025
The month of Ramadan, the holiest period for Muslims, is a time of spiritual elevation, fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. Beyond its religious significance, Ramadan carries a universal message of compassion, solidarity, and brotherhood.
During this month, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset, seeking to purify their souls, distance themselves from wrongdoing, and engage in charitable acts. This spiritual experience is further enriched by family and community gatherings for breaking the fast and shared prayers.
In Israel – tradition and security
Unfortunately, in recent years, the month of Ramadan in Israel has become a period marked by tension. Instead of preserving the values of compassion and peace, extremist elements exploit the month for political purposes and incitement. Tensions often arise around Jerusalem’s holy sites, particularly on the Temple Mount (al-Haram al-Sharif), where radical groups attempt to inflame the situation using religious-nationalist rhetoric.
This is not an inherent characteristic of Islam itself but rather a political-ideological phenomenon aimed at manipulating religious and national sentiments for external agendas. As a result, a paradox emerges: a month meant to be dedicated to spirituality, solidarity, and peace instead becomes a focal point of tension, violence, and friction between communities. Israeli security forces are compelled to remain on high alert, and instead of a festive atmosphere, many experience feelings of anxiety and concern.
In Muslim countries, celebration and joy
It is noteworthy that in many Muslim-majority countries, Ramadan is celebrated in a joyful and vibrant atmosphere. Nights come alive with festive meals, communal prayers, and social events that continue until dawn. These traditions strengthen the sense of unity and community, highlighting the celebratory and spiritual aspects of the month.
The Muslim community in Israel bears a dual responsibility: to uphold the sanctity of the month and celebrate it in accordance with Islamic values, while also rejecting any attempt to exploit religion for incitement and violence. The Quran advocates for peace, mutual respect, and the rejection of violence. It offers no justification for harming innocent people or disrupting public order. Those who attempt to use Ramadan as a tool for fueling tensions act against the spirit of Islam and distort its profound meaning.
Education, dialogue, and building bridges
Instead of merely reacting to events, Israeli society as a whole – both Jews and Arabs – must take proactive steps to foster mutual understanding. It is essential to deepen education about the true values of Islam, raise public awareness of the deeper meaning of Ramadan, and establish channels of dialogue between different communities.
Over the years, local initiatives of Jewish-Arab cooperation during Ramadan have demonstrated that it is possible to create spaces of solidarity. Joint events, shared iftar meals, interfaith dialogue, and neighborly relations all help to reduce tensions, strengthen mutual familiarity, and build genuine community resilience.
Ramadan’s original values
Ramadan should return to what it truly represents: a time of spiritual elevation, compassion, and brotherhood. Israeli society must address the central challenge – preventing extremist elements from hijacking the discourse and exploiting religion for political purposes. Only through education, mutual understanding, and genuine dialogue can we ensure that Ramadan remains faithful to its values and serves as a force for bringing hearts together rather than fostering division.
Coexistence is not an empty slogan – it is a daily choice each of us must make. Ramadan can and should be an opportunity to strengthen familiarity and trust between different groups in Israel. If we choose the path of mutual respect and cooperation, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity – ensuring that the true spirit of Ramadan shines upon all of Israeli society.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-844534
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Israel’s Wars Against Jihadi Terrorists Concern Intersections Between Death And Time
By Louis René Beres
March 4, 2025
In the final analysis, Israel’s wars against jihadi terrorists concern intersections between death and time. While these wars highlight sub-state adversaries, they also point toward existential conflicts with Iran. All such wars, whatever their particular nuances, could become many-sided and tactically bewildering. Worst-case scenarios, prima facie, would involve mutually reinforcing expressions of nuclear terrorism or nuclear war.
As a matter of law, any catastrophic war between Israel and its Islamist adversaries would have little to do with Palestinian sovereignty or self-determination. Though veiled from the ordinary assessments of politicians, pundits, and strategists, variously animating causes would stem from primal needs to overcome individual human mortality. It follows, among other things, that all visible struggles between the Jewish state and jihadi enemies are essentially reflections of much deeper personal expectations.
These are increasingly complicated matters, unprecedented prospects that now urgently require uncharacteristically imaginative thinking. Accordingly, Israeli planners should inquire at specifically conceptual levels: What are the authentically reflected images, the truly motivating human needs? If Iran and jihadi terrorist groups seek nothing less than “power over death,” how can Israel meaningfully respond? This query is especially daunting because the presumed jihadist path to immortality is linked to “terror-sacrifice” and “martyrdom.”
For Israel, the most plausible existential threat is an adversary that regards violence against individual Jews and the Jewish state as inherently “sacred.” Today, merely identifying such adversaries has become more difficult because of the Assad regime collapse in Syria. Among other things, this recent collapse has generated multiple augmentations and recalibrations among jihadi foes.
To further distinguish Middle Eastern reality from shadows of reality (in the classical Platonic metaphor, “shadows” replace “reflections”), three basic concepts should be examined in concert: death, time, and immortality. What can these intersecting concepts teach Israeli planners about the imperiled national future?
To answer thoughtfully, capable thinkers and scholars should begin their disciplined inquiries at the level of the individual person or microcosm. Though an invisible capacity, a promise of power over death offers jihadists the ultimate reward for faith-based compliance, both as recipient beneficiary and as a reciprocally bestowing benefactor.
Answering a two-part question
But first a two-part question will need to be posed: How can any one individual, terrorist group or state gain “power over death,” and what can any such presumed gain have to do with Israel’s fate?
On occasion, the search for “power over death” can demand a religion-confirming end to the individual jihadist’s transient life on earth. Though revered by Iran-backed terrorist proxies as “martyrs,” virtually all jihadi leaders actually strive desperately to avoid personal death. These openly unheroic commanders are more inclined to endure Israeli military retaliations while residing in Qatari or Turkish five-star hotels. For such senior leaders, life amid secular affluence is generally preferred to existence in the airless tunnels snaking beneath Gaza, Jenin, and Beirut.
Nonetheless, jihadis have no problem with “allowing” the “martyrdom” of despised “unbelievers.” Many thousands of would-be Islamist terrorists oblige the rape, torture, and murder of designated foes as a firm religious imperative. On October 7, 2023, Hamas perpetrators raped children as well as adults, males as well as females, and then burned alive more than a dozen “enemies of the faith.” For these terrorist “battles,” Hamas leaders in absentia sent large sums of money to their families, generously promising all personal immortality or “power over death.”
There is more. In his posthumously published Lecture on Politics (1896), German historian Heinrich von Treitschke observed: “Individual man sees in his own country the realization of his earthly immortality.” Earlier, German philosopher Georg Friedrich Hegel opined in Philosophy of Right (1820) that the state represents “the march of God in the world.” Such widely believed views link loyalty to the state with the promise of “power over death.” In world politics, this is always a monumental promise, but one recognizable only in the eternal shadows of death and time.
Indisputably, there can be no greater promise. For Israel, therefore, it is a promise of potentially unique potency.
Though it is an incomparable promise, personal immortality must still represent an unseemly and disfiguring goal. This judgment owes to both the promise’s calming expression of scientific nonsense (“An immortal person is a contradiction in terms,” reminds philosopher Emmanuel Levinas) and the fact that any search for life everlasting can foster war, terrorism, and (bearing witness to incessant Iranian calls for Israel’s annihilation) genocide. The necessary Israeli task should not be to remove adversarial hopes for personal immortality, but to “de-link” such a cowardly search from barbarous human behaviors. For the moment, of course, it remains a Herculean intellectual task.
In Reason and Anti-Reason in our Time (1952), Karl Jaspers comments: “There is something inside all of us that yearns not for reason but for mystery – not for penetrating clear thought but for the whisperings of the irrational....” The most seductive of these irrational whisperings are those that offer to confer some otherwise inexplicable “power over death.” It is somewhere within the twisted criteria of such a “selection” (a term made infamous at Auschwitz) that rapidly force-multiplying acts of violence can be spawned. This is because any jihadi promised power over death requires the “sacrifice” of specifically despised “others.”
TO DEAL satisfactorily with immediate and long-term security threats from Iran (both direct and surrogate-declared), Israeli policy-makers will first have to understand the most elemental sources of war, terrorism, and genocide. These sources, which generally evade serious analytic scrutiny, are rooted in the stunningly complex intersections of death, time, and immortality. In the end, it is at the underlying conceptual level that Israeli scholars and policy-makers should fashion their calibrated operational responses to jihadist terrorism.
The Iranian nuclear threat has not disappeared. Though seemingly “defanged,” this elemental country danger to Israel depends on far more than usual assessments of “clock time.” More exactly, it is to “sacred time” rather than the “profane time” of clocks that Iranian and other jihadi leaders will turn for compelling reassurances of life everlasting. “It is through death,” explains Levinas, “that there is time,” but it is also though time that Israel can meaningfully understand death.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-844531
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/middle-east-press/ramadan-gaza-palestinians-arab-israel-/d/134772
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