US diplomatic push for Hamas disarmament overlooks Gaza’s occupation, regional power dynamics, and civilian suffering
Original framing: “Israel can 'finish the job properly' in Gaza if Hamas does not disarm, Kushner says” — Middle East Eye
The conflict cannot be understood without tracing the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the 1948 Nakba, and subsequent wars that entrenched settler‑colonial structures. Historical analysis shows that repeated cycles of occupation, displacement, and external mediation have produced a pattern where disarmament is offered only after prolonged subjugation, mirroring other decolonisation struggles.
The Kushner statement masks a deep‑rooted settler‑colonial occupation that sustains Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, while invoking a narrow security narrative that excludes Palestinian agency and regional dynamics.
Historical parallels to other decolonisation struggles, combined with indigenous water‑knowledge and marginalized voices, reveal that any durable peace must couple disarmament with legal accountability, inclusive reconstruction, and a regional security architecture. By foregrounding cross‑cultural perspectives and employing trickster insights that expose the absurdity of superficial diplomacy, policymakers can design multi‑layered solutions that address structural violence, empower local actors, and build resilient futures for both peoples.