Gaza is not Lebanon

At the time of writing, -7:00pm GMT, 9:00pm local time – the Israeli Defence Force have entered the Gaza strip. Correspondents from the BBC and Al Jazzera report hearing machine gun fire coming from the northern border of the strip. Simultaneously helicopter gun ships and jet bombers continue to bombard Gaza City, while naval vessels and artillery shell sites of Hamas rocket fire.

The ultimate aim of this assault is impossible to truly determine. It seems unlikely that Olmert and Livni, who were both in Government when Ariel Sharon withdrew from the strip in 2006, will seek to re-conquer or reoccupy the strip. Yet it also seems impossible, even in this age of ‘precision’ weaponry, that the IDF will only engage and destroy Hamas fighters.

The Israeli war aims are difficult to determine partly because the IDF have learnt some of the lessons of the 2006 Lebanon war, at least where the media are concerned. When Israeli aircraft began pounding the Hezbollah positions north of Galilee and later began bombing Beruit itself, they did so in the full gaze of the World’s media. TV, Radio, Newspaper and Internet correspondents were dispatched to watch the conflict unfold as red tops and broadsheets alike swiftly resurrected images of Dunkirk as British civilians were evacuated.

This time however we witness the one true sign that Israel has succeeded in closing down all sources of information. The journalists have resorted to interviewing other journalists outside of the sealed of ‘military zone.’ One of the few facts which the 24-Hour news anchors are pouring over is a statement from Defence Minister Ehuld Barak, who claims the IDF are prepared for ‘many long days’ of fighting as t they target "the infastructure of Hamas." As his words are broadcast around the world news was also released showing 10,000 reservists have been called up for deployment, suggesting Israel not only aim to seek out and destroy the rockets, but are likely aiming to topple the Hamas government in an attempt to stop the rocket fire permanently.

While similarities with the 2006 Lebanon war are being wheeled out by every media network, NGO and protest group a more fitting similarity would be the Russian-Georgian war of 2008. Like the South Ossetia conflict this battle has is being waged on the airwaves and on the internet with highly sophisticated propaganda. The IDF have even formed their own Youtube channel to show carefully chosen footage of missile strikes on Hamas targets. The truth of course is that the Israeli/Palestinian struggle is like no other on earth.

Since 1948 it has been the Gordian Knot of international politics, with deeply entrenched, polarising propaganda. We must look through the propaganda, it is not about choosing your side, for war is not a football match. There are victims, and villains, on all sides and it is crucial, if you are to be a true advocate of peace, to understand the plight of both peoples rather then the leadership or military of either side. After all it should not be difficult for the British to recognise that the establishment do not always represent the people. Three million people marched against the Invasion of Iraq, yet Blair deployed troops anyway.

One great concern is the assumption that the ground assault will be identical to the 2006 invasion of Lebanon. Gaza is not Lebanon, Hamas are not Hezbollah and 2009 is not 2006. To suggest otherwise is ideologically lazy or journalistically lazy. Hezbollah remain a well trained and well armed army. Like Hamas they are listed as a terrorist organisation and like Hamas I believe that is exactly what they are. However, Hezbollah are so well established they act like a state within Lebanon itself. When Israeli tanks rolled into Lebanon they were fighting an enemy which acted like a conventionally army. Hamas are not a regular army, they are paramilitary irregulars, much like the Afghan Pashtuns or the Iraqi insurgency. The IDF do not have a history of fighting such a force, which means the conflict is likely to be long and bloody for all involved.

In 2006 Israel had international support, or at the very least her allies remained silent. Today the politically landscape is slowly changed and political denouncement is coming from all angles. Gordon Brown has done what Tony Blair refused to do by calling for an immediate ceasefire. All the while Blair stays committed to his shameful silence, even in his new role as Middle Eastern Peace Envoy. Indeed the backlash against Israel has been swift and loud, with protests being held across the globe. 12,000 people rallied outside of Israel’s London embassy to call for an end to violence. Here is one small parallel with Lebanon which I fear. In 2006 protesters massing in Trafalgar square chanted “we are all Hezbollah now”, and immediately lost any pretence at morality. Today I fear we will hear chants of “we are all Hamas now” and the moral ground will be lost once more. It is the role of the progressive to support peace, and to stand by the people. Never should we support any organisation which deliberately targets civilians, be that Hamas, Hezbollah or Israel. Hamas are not a party of peace. Their fighters have spent 8 years launching rockets at unarmed civilians who live in the towns of the Negev. Their fighters have attempted to purge Gaza of political opposition and it must be remembered that it was Hamas suicide bombers who played a key role in destroying the last hopes of peace.

Both Hamas and the IDF have committed severe war crimes and this recognition is essential before a solution can be reached. The solution to this war is simple; Ceasefire and mutual recognition. President-Elect Barack Obama must break his silence and must pressure Israel to withdraw the tanks and withdraw the troops. This must be followed by talks between Israel and the moderate wing of Hamas, and do not believe that they will not talk. In the 1970’s it looked incomprehensible for the British government to talk to the IRA, but they did. Similarly it looked incomprehensible for Israel to talk to Yassar Arafat’s PLO, but they did. These talks must broker another short term cease fire, and crucially must be followed by statements of mutual recognition. Hamas must recognise the right of Israeli existence, the notion that the green flag of Hamas will one day fly over Tel Aviv or Haifa is nothing but false hope. Israel is a developed, democratic country whose sovereign rights must be recognised, both by Hamas and any other nation. Simultaneously Israel must recognise Hamas as the current elected government of the Gaza strip. They is a strong argument that Hamas forfeit this democratic status when they purged Gaza of Fatah supporters in 2007, however at the time of writing Hamas are the government, and must be recognised as such. There will be moderates within the organisation and they must be encouraged. The siege of Gaza must be lifted and humanitarian aid must be allowed in.