As Israel continues its unrelenting air strikes against the Palestinians of Gaza, the images emerging from the enclave are horrifying. It has been nearly two months since Israel imposed a full spectrum blockage on Gaza and no food, medicine, or other supplies have entered. The World Food Program announced last weekend that it “has depleted all its food stocks for families in Gaza.”
While tens of thousands face starvation, Israel has rejected a proposal put forward by Hamas for a long term five-to-seven year truce. The movement has publicly stated that it will relinquish governance of Gaza, release all Israeli captives, and support the establishment of an independent Palestinian committee to take control of Gaza. Israel, however, has said it will only consider a short-term ceasefire and has demanded the demilitarization of the entire Gaza Strip. Hamas has said this is “a million red lines,” and that disarmament of Palestinians would equate abandoning the right to self defense and self determination.
Drop Site’s Jeremy Scahill speaks with journalist Mohammad Alsaafin, an Executive Producer at Al Jazeera’s AJ+. Alsaafin, who is originally from Gaza, analyzes the current status of the ceasefire talks and the role of Egypt, Qatar and the Trump administration. They also discuss the lives and legacies of Yahya Sinwar, the late political leader of Hamas, and Mohammed Deif, the commander of its armed wing, Al Qassam Brigades.
As always, this was an informative and important discussion. I'd love to know if Mr. Alsaafin is considering writing an historical biography of Yahya Sinwar--such a compelling story of a brilliant resistance fighter. Thank you both!
Free Palestine!!!
Thank you for continuing to amplify the horrors happening in GAZA.
Jeremy your podcasts are the absolute best.. I’ve been following you for years and your work has been fundamental in changing the way I see the world. I hope to meet you one day and thank you from the bottom of my heart, in person🙏
Hi there, I have a question regarding something that seems contradictory.
In earlier discussions (possibly in a Breaking Points segment), it was said that the Great March of Return started as a grassroots initiative, and that Hamas initially opposed it—only joining later due to public pressure.
But in this episode, it was mentioned that Sinwar promoted the march and that Hamas played an integral role from the start, almost as if they initiated it.
These two positions can’t both be true. This raises questions about the accuracy of Sinwar’s statements to international media and the broader narrative of Hamas’s involvement.
Could you please clarify which version is correct?
Out today at the entrance to Northwestern University with my signboards, one of which says: "Mass Murder in Gaza by Israel, but don't look at me, just enjoy your day. Are you human?"
The other sign announces that I have received a death threat for doing what I am doing.
There is NOTHING about what I am doing that any American could not do who is not timid, in particular retirees like me that cannot be doxxed, threatened with job loss or be expelled from school. And a very big factor - I am white.
But it cannot happen elsewhere unless what I am doing becomes known. As I have mentioned before, my appeals to DropSite and Ryan Grim have gone un-answered. I do not seek celebrity, I seek justice for the Palestinians and hope that what I am doing might be reproduced across the country. I do not tremble at the thought of arrest or attack. Surely there are others like me in America, supposedly the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I plead with you, just mention me with maybe a photo showing me wearing my signs which would speak all that needs to be said. There is no need for an interview. Help this idea of individual Americans standing up for the Palestinians spread. It is anti-Zionism in action, not anti-semitism, and its basis is in liberty and justice for all, forgotten by Trump (and Biden, the Zionist)
My substack is next to my name above for anyone who wants to follow (for free) my vigil.
With Hamas vowing to inflict a thousand October 7's on Israelis, and Palestinians cheering that vow, Israel realizes that any ceasefire will hold only until Hamas gains enough strength to again inflict atrocities on Israelis (and others who work for Israelis or dare to visit Israel). True peace seekers should be encouraging Hamas to surrender so that Gaza can be demilitarized and the Palestinians can be deradicalized. The first step in the Palestinians getting a state of their own is accepting the fact that their state will need to be the Jewish state's neighbor, not its replacement.