Palestinians have nothing more to negotiate: National unity & international action are now critical

Earlier this month the mass funeral of 112 Palestinians, mostly women and children, brought again into sharp focus the scale of the genocide in the Gaza Strip. Only days ago, another mass funeral of 50 took place. 

Those buried were recovered from among thousands of Palestinian bodies trapped beneath Gaza’s 61 million tonnes of rubble. 

Since the ceasefire announcement in October 2025, the death toll from the ongoing Israeli military offensive is almost 1,300; 300 of whom were children. In effect one child has been killed every day since then. At least 4,125 people have been injured.

Gaza is home to the highest number of child amputees in modern history.

Israeli occupation forces have steadily extended the so called 'Yellow Line'; a buffer zone agreed under the 2025 ceasefire. It originally gave Israel control of 53% of the territory; but has expanded to include up to 65% of the Strip.

 Before the latest war began Gaza was known as the most densely populated place on earth.

 UNICEF reports that since last October, the 2.1 million Palestinians who previously occupied all of Gaza, have now been forced into just 1/3 of the Strip’s land mass. 

They live in impossible conditions, occupying flimsy tents, destroyed buildings and among the uncleared rubble. Their entire healthcare and medical infrastructure have been destroyed.

In reality there is no ceasefire for the people of Gaza. They are enduring daily Israeli ground and air attacks, which have in recent days included massacres at a beach cafe, and a police station where eight police officers were killed.

At the same time annexation of Palestinian land, home demolitions and ethnic cleansing throughout the West Bank are proceeding at an unprecedented rate.

Emboldened settler terrorists relentlessly attack West Bank towns, villages and homes on a daily basis. There has been a 63% increase in settler attacks during 2026.

 The United Nations confirms that the establishment of illegal settlements is now at an historic high.

This parallel onslaught in the West Bank and ongoing genocide are taking place with total impunity.

Netanyahu’s government actions are systematically carrying out war crimes against the occupied Palestinian people.

Israel is in full violation of the US brokered October ceasefire.

There is a consistent pattern with Netanyahu’s approach. Each time the international mediators make political progress, or indeed agreement with Palestinian negotiators, the Israelis intervene to sabotage negotiations. Hence the intensification of attacks in both the West Bank and Gaza.

The reason is clear. Amid declining poll numbers, with October elections due in Israel, Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival, as he competes for the ultra-orthodox, right-wing vote.

State terrorism has been institutionalised by Netanyahu’s cabinet as an official strategy to shore up his electoral base. Naked racism and visceral hatred are integral to his government’s decision-making calculus.

Prior to announcement of the October 2025 ceasefire, the crimes against humanity being inflicted against the Palestinian people dominated the world media.

Tens of millions of decent people around the globe protested and unprecedented numbers of world leaders endorsed recognition of a sovereign Palestinian State.

That momentum was eclipsed for a time by the US/Israel war against Iran and resultant instability in the Gulf region.

But international attention is once more turning to the plight of the Palestinians.

Popular global opinion still stands in support of a free Palestine. Irish solidarity has never wavered.

In spite of seemingly insurmountable challenges Palestinian negotiators and the international mediators have worked to find agreements which can end the war and begin to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza. 

Weeks ago in a key initiative, it was announced that the Hamas led political and civil administration would step down to make way for the establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza; the body agreed under the terms of the October ceasefire in conjunction with Board of Peace. To date, Netanyahu has refused to allow this Committee to enter Gaza and begin its work.  

That decision was followed by a ground breaking decision by Palestinian forces to put their arms beyond use.

During a round of negotiations in Cairo, and under the auspices of the Board of Peace, Palestinian negotiators met face to face with Egyptian and American representatives. A resulting 15-point plan included explicit agreement that all weapons and munitions under the control of Palestinian groups would be handed over to the National Committee once Israeli forces completely withdrew from the Strip.

The Palestinians have demonstrated significant flexibility to make agreements throughout, notwithstanding bad faith by the Israelis, and their concerted attempts to destroy all agreements. 

After a period of silence, Netanyahu has publicly rejected the 15-point plan agreed. 

The Israeli state is hell bent on opposing any attempt to build a durable peace process in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s eventual rejection of the new plan prompted direct meetings last week between Board of Peace and US representatives, led by Jared Kushner, the Palestinian negotiators, and international mediators; then culminating in a meeting with Netanyahu.

Based on subsequent public comments and particularly those of Kushner, it is obvious the Israelis are again intent on sabotaging this new potential to end the existing impasse, and the humanitarian crisis.

The US now has a decision to make. Whether it continues capitulating to Israeli racism and colonialism, or finally pulls Netanyahu into line, and forces him to accept the terms of this agreement.

Palestinians have nothing more to negotiate or concede. They have nothing more to give at the negotiation table.

The denial of Palestinian national and human rights is the most totemic national democratic struggle of our modern era.

The right to Palestinian self-determination is absolute. But the Palestinian struggle has now arrived at a cross roads.

Netanyahu and the Israeli right-wing are intent on trying to annihilate the Palestinian people, and fully colonising all of their lands. The Zionists believe this can be done because the full weight of global pressure against Israel has not been enforced. 

A step change in international action must be taken at every level.

Reenergised diplomatic and political influence from governments in the global north and south, and by multilateral institutions is needed at this time to exert maximum boycott, divestment and sanction measures. 

The inaction of the EU is an absolute disgrace. The rhetorical opposition to the accelerating annexation must be matched with serious economic and political action.

A single, global, anti-apartheid, anti-occupation campaign is now needed to properly coordinate international action. Global solidarity must speak with one voice, and act on the basis of shared strategy and objectives.

Disagreement over Palestinian internal democracy and the lack of political unity have also moved centre stage.

Continued lack of unity between the various liberation movements and parties is failing the people of Palestine.

It is obvious that a national dialogue on the future direction of the Palestinian liberation struggle is essential.

The current status quo is untenable. A new initiative is required. Those of us who are committed to the cause of our Palestinian sisters and brothers have a political and moral duty to act.

The principles of the Beijing Accord in 2024 and the leadership umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organisation provide the critical reference points for an agreed initiative.

Ultimately, it is for the Palestinian people to determine the future of their struggle and collective destiny.

However, those of us from across the progressive, international political spectrum, and from within the national liberation tradition share responsibility to support our Palestinian sisters and brothers, whatever way we can.

 Promoting stronger, cohesive global solidarity, and supporting the achievement of Palestinian political unity are the priorities upon which we must concentrate our efforts.

Just as the Palestinians have nothing more to give, the international community must not delay. 

Palestine cannot wait.