IN mid-March 2025, Israel blatantly violated the ceasefire agreement it had previously reached with Hamas. Within just a few days, Israel bombed and killed over 500 civilians in Gaza, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, to over 50,000. Most victims of Israel’s recent bombings were women and children.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the purpose of these attacks was to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages. He also hoped this brutal assault would force Palestinians to finally submit to Israel’s demands: to oppose Hamas and cease resistance against Israel.

However, this objective is no different from the one he announced in October 2023 when launching the Gaza offensive in response to Hamas’s Al-Aqsa Storm operation. After fifteen months of Israeli aggression, the world knows they have failed to achieve their goals, as Hamas remains intact and influential in Gaza.

The reality that Israeli leaders refuse to accept is that Palestinians will never surrender to Israel or abandon Hamas. For Palestinians, Israel is a colonizing force seeking to seize their homeland and expel them. Hamas is merely one of many Palestinian organizations resisting this occupation through armed struggle. Its actions are a natural response to colonization and thus inherently garner support from most Palestinians.

The only difference between Hamas fighters and ordinary Palestinians is their military training. Hamas is a disciplined, committed, and martyrdom-driven organization rooted in Islamic teachings, which frame resistance against foreign, non-Muslim colonization as a noble jihad. Such resistance is seen as righteous, rewarded by Allah, and those who die in this struggle are promised eternal paradise. This conviction renders them fearless in battle.

Palestinians have no choice but to resist colonization and continue their struggle for liberation. This contrasts sharply with Israeli citizens, many of whom trace their ancestry to Eastern Europe and could theoretically return to their countries of origin.

Many Israeli leaders are aware of this reality. However, Netanyahu persists in rejecting ceasefire efforts and peace with Hamas primarily to retain power. Extremist parties led by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to collapse his coalition government if the war ends. Without their support, Netanyahu would lose his premiership, face corruption trials, and likely imprisonment. By prolonging the war, he secures his political survival.

Despite Netanyahu’s vow to continue attacks until Hamas is destroyed, global consensus holds that Israel’s 15-month campaign has failed. Instead, Israel is increasingly seen as a brutal occupier. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has deemed Israel’s actions in Gaza plausibly genocidal, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity.

In May 2024, Hamas proposed a ceasefire involving a prisoner exchange. A truce was eventually agreed upon early this year, with its first phase implemented despite Israeli violations, including the killing of dozens of Palestinians during the ceasefire period.

The ceasefire’s collapse during its second phase underscores Israel’s failure to eliminate Hamas. Netanyahu’s withdrawal from the agreement—using Hamas’s adherence to the truce as a pretext—reveals desperation. Another key factor is Hamas’s propaganda victory: images of released Israeli hostages smiling, thanking, and even kissing Hamas fighters have bolstered the group’s global image. Similarly, Hamas’s success in freeing Palestinian prisoners has deepened Palestinian admiration.

Many Israelis now believe Netanyahu prolongs the war to evade prosecution and imprisonment. Public anger toward him is growing, with thousands protesting nationwide. Israeli society is fractured, and citizens increasingly feel unsafe under his leadership.

Israel’s future appears bleak. Its economy has collapsed, prompting mass emigration. Meanwhile, American support for Israel—especially among youth and students—is eroding as awareness grows about Palestinian suffering and Israel’s role as a colonizing power. Young Americans increasingly recognize Palestinians as the indigenous population and Israelis as foreign settlers.

As more Americans condemn Israeli atrocities, the U.S. government may soon abandon its unconditional support. America’s own economic crisis—with a $36 trillion debt and austerity measures—has citizens questioning why billions are sent to Israel while domestic welfare suffers. President Trump, who pledged to prioritize Americans, now faces backlash for prioritizing Israel over his people.

In conclusion, Israel’s ceasefire violation reflects its weakness and desperation. This senseless aggression, devoid of clear strategy, will inevitably falter. The Zionist project—founded on racism, apartheid, and genocide—is crumbling. Let us prepare to witness the downfall of this oppressive state and celebrate the imminent victory of Palestinian liberation. Until then, let us seize every opportunity to contribute to this struggle before time runs out.




Prof Emeritus Mohd Nazari Ismail is the Director at Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies, Universiti Malaya

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.