Chicagoans demand end to war in Gaza as ceasefire starts between Israel and Hezbollah
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced Tuesday in a near 14-month war that's left more than 3,000 dead in Lebanon — but Chicagoans say the fight isn't over.
The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable.
"We hope for similar progress in Gaza, including the release of the hostages and the removal of Hamas," said Yiman Cohen, consul general of Israel to the Midwest, in a statement.
Despite the ceasefire, Palestinian supporters in Chicago believe Israel needs to be held responsible for the various attacks carried out in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and other countries.
"We want to see an end to war, an end to the massive devastation, and for people to be able to return to their homes," said Muhammad Sankari, a member of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. "But more importantly there needs to be accountability for what the Israelis have done."
The war in Lebanon escalated when Israel carried out deadly airstrikes on Sept. 23 that killed nearly 500 people and wounded more than 1,600 — just days after dozens were killed and thousands were injured in an attack on communication devices.
Hours before the ceasefire was called, Israel carried out an intense wave of strikes in Beirut that left dozens dead.
The ceasefire, which started at 8 p.m. Tuesday Chicago time, calls for a two-month halt to fighting.
It would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, and Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance.
"Up until to the last minute the Israeli are going to get as much death and destruction as they can," said Sankari, who is Lebanese.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran.
Israel has said it will attack if Hezbollah breaks the ceasefire agreement.
In the next two months, Sankari said pro-Palestinian supporters will continue to demand an end to the war in Gaza.
"Our demand has been clear from the beginning: that we will continue to mobilize and organize until the genocide against the Palestinian people ends," Sankari said. "The unimaginable suffering that Palestinian people have faced is because this U.S.-funded genocide continues."
Palestinian supporters in Chicago have gathered to protest the war nearly every week since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Contributing: Associated Press