We Have A “Ceasefire” Just What Does That Mean?

We have entered into a new cease-fire with the terrorists in Gaza. Some of the hostages will be released, and much of the IDF will leave Gaza. I guess I should be happy as we look to a new cease-fire with a bright future… but I am not!

Other than the possibility that our hostages will be returned, some to their families and others to the cemetery, nothing is promising about the future. Only one big-time proved negative.

Ceasefire Number One

When I moved to Sderot in August 2008, there had already been some 5600 Kassam rockets fired, and Sderot was the main target for Hamas. On 27 Dec 2008, the terrorist attacks escalated to the first Gaza war. It lasted until 18 January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire. Ceasefire number one!

It was relatively calm for the next four years, with occasional Kassam rockets still fired at Sderot.

Ceasefire Number Two

On 12 Nov 2012, the second Gaza war began. This time, not only were Kassams fired, but also Iranian-made Fajr-5, Russian-made Grad rockets, Qassams, and mortars.  Besides Sderot, Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Kiryat Malachi were their targets. Tel Aviv was hit for the first time since the 1991 Gulf War. After one week of fighting, we saw another “cease-fire”. Ceasefire number two!

Once again, we had some calm, which was in between the occasional Kassam being fired and other terrorist attacks throughout Israel.

Ceasefire Number Three

8 July 2014 was the beginning of the third Gaza war. It lasted for some 48 days. This escalation triggered a seven-week-long conflict between the two sides, one of the deadliest outbreaks of open conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in decades. Some 4500 rockets were fired from Gaza, plus Morter fire.  

Towards the end of August, a final ceasefire was agreed upon. Ceasefire number three!

Once again, but not holding our breaths, we saw some peace and quiet.. that was for almost six years.

Ceasefire Number Four

 On 10 May 2021, the breath we were holding came to a “gasp” for air as, once again, Kassams were falling not only in Sderot but as far away as 70-80 kilometers from Gaza. Now, they could reach Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and close to Haifa. Of the 4300 Kassam rockets fired in the twenty-one-day war, 1100 were fired in a 74-hour period, or one every 3.5 minutes. That didn’t give you enough time to leave your bomb shelter if you had one and run to the restroom. They now have short-, medium-, and long-range rockets that can hit anywhere in Israel.

 On 21 May, once again, a ceasefire came into effect. Ceasefire number four!

Starting To See A Pattern

Are you starting to see a pattern here? We, with a Western mentality, think of a “ceasefire” as a total end to a conflict. However, Hamas does not view a “ceasefire” like that. The word Hamas uses in place of our word “ceasefire” is the word “hudna,” and it does not have the exact definition as our “ceasefire.” Hudna is a limited time to cease your fighting, re-group, re-stock, and re-train so you can come back on another day stronger than you are today. There can be no assumption that anyone seeking hudna has any intention of surrender or permanent cessation of hostilities; it is just a time to rest, regroup, and revive.

Ceasefire Number Five

2 May 2023, once again, we saw an end to the cease-fire as Operation

“Shield and Arrow” began. It lasted until 13 May with, you guessed it, another ceasefire! That’s number 5

Ceasefire Number Six

This all leads up to the atrocity of 7 Oct with its brutality, savagery, and lack of respect for humanity, from babies cooked alive in ovens to grandparents killed in front of their children and grandchildren.  They began their attack by flying over the security fence with paragliders, which enabled them to reach the community quickly. Next came a barrage of 5000 rockets as they made their way into Israel using cars, trucks, and motorcycles, killing 1200 and taking some 240 hostages.

Sunday, 19 Jan 2025, starts supposedly “cease fire” number 6

How long will this one last, and what will they attack us with next time? Do I have peace and joy over this ceasefire… Yeah… as much peace as I have over having a root canal! With every “ceasefire,” Hamas comes back stronger and with more high-tech weapons. We have seen this time (1) and time (2) and time (3) and time (4) and time (5) again. Now, we enter into number 6.

The only good out of this ceasefire is that for the families, this part of their nightmare is over as they begin the recovery process.

Like I said, with every “ceasefire,” Hamas has come back with more sophisticated weapons. The past five cease fire’s have proven that. The only question I have is; How many will die next time, how many hostages will be taken next time, and how many lives will be forever scarred?

Ceasefire Number Seven

But we have a cease-fire, by golly! Now the countdown clock begins ticking until “ceasefire number 7”