What did the Palestinians achieve in Gaza?

After the ceasefire agreement was signed in Gaza, Israel continued targeting ordinary people in the West Bank. This is hardly surprising. As a colonial outpost for Britain and the U.S. in the Eastern Mediterranean, Israel views these attacks as necessary for its strategic goals, which are rooted in settler expansionism. Even while the genocide in Gaza was ongoing, settler groups in the West Bank had already begun plotting their next moves for Gaza. TRT World’s documentary Sacred Occupation provided valuable insight into these settler organizations in the West Bank. They were discussing how to colonize Gaza with the conviction that they would succeed. After the ceasefire was signed, even Trump, then newly seated as president, seemed influenced by their plans, speaking about how beautiful homes could be built along Gaza’s coast. This offers a critical clue as to who was aware of these settler colonization goals. Yet, despite their ambitions, the settlers failed. Although left in ruins, Gazans managed to return to the last spaces that belonged to them, leaving the settlers in the West Bank visibly disappointed.

It’s unlikely that the depth of the settlers’ disappointment will be fully understood in Türkiye. Comments and actions meant to answer questions like “Did the Palestinians win, or did Israel?” are often seen as another example of polarization here. For those asking, “Where is the victory in this? Gaza was flattened, thousands died, and the region is in ruins,” understanding the joy on the faces of Palestinians seems nearly impossible. Many align with this perspective. Some even dismiss Gaza’s plight altogether, claiming the Western system is functioning perfectly and there’s no need to ask what happened there.

However, the belief among conservative religious groups that Gazans cannot defeat Israel deserves closer attention. This polarization is fueled, unfortunately, by a tendency to center oneself in these events. This habit also extends to discussions on Gaza, where even basic concepts are misunderstood, leading to naïve or self-orientalizing attitudes.

Settlers are key actors in achieving a state's colonization goals. Israel began encroaching on Gaza through settlers long ago. These settlers, now described as non-state actors, are not bound by legal constraints. In Türkiye, this group remains largely unknown. Even those who stand in solidarity with Palestinians avoid using the term “settler.” Some argue that calling settlers “thieves” is necessary, claiming that the term “settler” softens their actions. While I won’t delve into a debate over terminology, it’s crucial to understand the special role of settlers in colonial expansion. Settlers are both individuals and organized groups who act as non-state agents advancing state objectives. While their theft is obvious, reducing their actions to mere theft is misguided. Terms like invasion and occupation also fail to capture the entirety of settler activity.

Organizations like Haganah were founded to protect settlers, while financial institutions and NGOs operated to ensure the success of settler expansionism. If we don’t view this as a systemic issue, we cannot grasp the meaning of the resilience reflected on the faces of Gazans walking steadfastly through the rubble. This resilience could never have been represented by opposition groups operating within the system.

After Trump assumed the presidency, his rhetoric evoked a new era of colonial expansion. While discussing the geopolitical implications of his statements is important, what they truly signify is colonial expansionism. These policies were thought to have been left in the 19th century, yet Zionists have continued to implement them in Palestine. For the first time, Palestinians stopped the Zionists on their own in Gaza. They resisted for 15 months, refusing to allow new settlements to take root. This resistance clearly also hindered U.S. ambitions.

By analyzing events as part of a system, we can better appreciate what Palestinians have accomplished. Their achievement represents a new idea in this struggle.