PRESIDENT Donald Trump has expressed doubt about the sustainability of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, stating, “That’s not our war; it’s their war” (BBC). This remark, made just three days after the ceasefire, has disappointed many who hoped it would mark a permanent end to violence in Gaza. Instead, the ceasefire was only a temporary pause, lasting 40 days. The world had hoped this moment would refocus attention on rebuilding Gaza, a region Trump himself described as a “massive demolition.”
For decades, Palestinians have endured suffering, oppression and displacement. They have faced violence and destruction in their homeland, where their courage and resilience have been tested beyond measure. Palestinians, like all people, deserve human rights, dignity and honour, all of which have been grossly denied for too long.
Israel, with its overwhelming military power, is constructing a “Greater Israel” on the backs of innocent people. The ongoing conflict, a brutal war of attrition, must come to an end. This grossly disproportionate war should not be allowed to repeat itself. Gaza, once a thriving region, now resembles a concentration camp, with its schools, hospitals and shelters turned into sites of horror. The devastation of Gaza echoes the darkest periods of history, including Nazi atrocities and surpasses even medieval barbarity.
Now, the world must shift its focus toward rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, especially its educational system. Children in Gaza deserve the same educational opportunities as their peers in Tel Aviv or Haifa. Education must be restored as a fundamental human right, free from fear and instability.
The responsibility for ensuring Gaza’s future largely lies with the United States, under President Donald Trump’s leadership. His “America First” agenda, focused on global peace, aligns with the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Trump’s influence was pivotal in achieving the recent ceasefire and the US plays a crucial role in curbing Israel’s aggressive tactics and land-grabbing ambitions. Without US support, Israel’s hegemony cannot sustain itself.
The US must guide Israel toward peace, just as it did with Egypt and Jordan through historic treaties. The world looks to the US to foster a permanent ceasefire and ensure that the basic rights of Palestinians—dignity, education and the opportunity to rebuild their homeland—are finally recognized.
President Trump’s leadership can be transformative if he uses his influence to secure lasting peace in Gaza and the Middle East. His vision should focus on reviving Gaza, not as a symbol of destruction but as a region of hope and opportunity. This vision aligns with “America First,” not as isolationism, but as a guiding principle for global peace and stability. The world remains hopeful that the ceasefire will hold and that the US will champion the cause of peace for all.
—The writer is a contributing columnist based in Shikarpur.
(qamersoomroshp22@gmail.com)
