The images and videos showing the people of Gaza greeting the news of a ceasefire with joy certainly returned some calm to spirits long worn down by the brutal war. Yet alongside that relief there remained a heavy lump in the throat and deep anxiety — especially given the “mystery” that shrouds what took place that night in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
There is no room here to dwell on the media pageantry of Sisi’s regime — masters at twisting truths and falsifying facts in broad daylight — and their eager exploitation of the moment to project an illusion of regional and international clout. The bitter truth, however, is that besieged, starving Gaza — beset by a treacherous neighbour — was the one that shattered the isolation of the Egyptian regime and handed it a chance to play a role that has no real impact on the ground. On the other hand, some media elites — who once hoped to see Gaza submissive and kneeling before the occupation and its cronies — fell prey to despair when confronted with the steadfastness of Gaza’s resistance.
Yes, some longed for an end to the war; but not for humane or fraternal reasons — rather to document the sight of a white flag raised above Gaza’s walls, fulfilling the foul dreams of the butcher Netanyahu and his followers. The resilience of the resistance, the consciousness of Gaza’s people and their firm faith struck fear into those hopes and showed them up for anyone with honour. But we return to the big, urgent question: what was arranged for Gaza on the night in Sharm El-Sheikh? Why the current confusion compared with the apparent clarity of what was labelled the first phase? And why do Arab parties only speak after receiving the green light from the White House, parroting its position?
Features of the Second Phase
While all parties remain tight-lipped about what was decided behind the closed doors in Sharm El-Sheikh, observers can pick out new features of the plan from a brief look at the tone and content of media coming from the UAE and Saudi outlets — and, to a lesser extent, Egypt. The tone has shifted provocatively, with clear instructions to sow seeds of discord within Gaza’s social fabric and openly to support militias linked to figures like Yasser Abu Shab, Hossam Al-Astal, Ashraf Al-Mansi and Rami Hals.
After the apparent failure to relaunch the war because of an American veto (for now, at least), efforts have turned to stoking local conflict and promoting talk of a “new Gaza project” — a narrative already being pushed in American and Western media. This gained traction after Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, spoke about a plan for “two Gazas”: one ignored, neglected, deprived of aid and reconstruction under Hamas’s rule; and another — lying beyond the yellow line — presented as “prosperous,” destined to attract Arab and Western funds and attention. Has the US administration persuaded the Zionist entity of the merits of this “new plan” now that total military victory and the elimination of the resistance are impossible?
The New Gaza
There appears to be a near consensus behind this new direction. We see a clear Arab enthusiasm from parties driven by grudges now openly visible, alongside broad Western media engagement with the project and the opening of space for new names eager to present themselves as “moderate,” ready to build a reconciled, “new Gaza” that embraces others without grudges. Will they succeed in reaching their vile goal by deceit after their honour was dragged through the mud on the battlefields? Why do Arab regimes lack the courage to reveal what they agreed with their godfather, “Abu Ivanka,” in Sharm El-Sheikh?
We believed — and many still believe — that they performed miracles and succeeded in halting the brutal war on the proud Strip. So why the reluctance to disclose the real objectives behind the “deal” with the White House? Why do they gladly accept an “apology” from a criminal who does not hesitate to demean them and reveal his intentions to extend his domination to their borders, while they bicker among themselves over the most trivial matters?
Of course, answers to these questions will remain pending for now; time will expose the conspirators and reward the sincere and faithful. Experience teaches us that this suspicious insistence on playing the role of peace doves often conceals alternative plans no less dangerous than the roar of planes and missiles that rained down on the steadfast Strip and its people. Yet we are fully confident that those who have succeeded in breaking and taming those fleets will not fail to frustrate every filthy plan hatched in dark rooms and sold under rosy slogans and lullabies about love, peace and harmony.
In the end, only what is true will endure. The Hashimi people of Gaza will continue to write deeds of heroism in war and in a peace strewn with the heads of the poisonous snakes that left their lairs.
