Today, a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, marking a temporary halt in violence after more than a year of relentless bombing by Israel in a space smaller than Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite this announcement, Israel has failed to meet its stated objectives, including eliminating Hamas and securing the return of captives. Instead, Gaza remains resilient, yet devastated, with its people continuing to endure systemic oppression and apartheid under occupation.

Mass Liberation Arizona Issues the Following Statement:
The proposed ceasefire is a pause in genocide, not peace. While it may offer brief relief to those in Gaza, it does nothing to address the root cause of the violence: Israel’s decades-long occupation and apartheid policies. History tells us that ceasefires do not hold under these conditions, and Israel’s long record of violating international law makes it impossible to trust their commitment.

As a prison abolitionist organization, we recognize the power of Palestinian resistance. Despite unimaginable violence, they secured the release of prisoners, made their demands known, and dominated the global narrative. This is a victory that cannot be erased: The Palestinian resistance won.

True justice requires the end of the occupation, accountability for apartheid, and the recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Ceasefires are fragile and fleeting until we dismantle the systems of oppression that have defined Palestinian lives for generations.

To be clear: this ceasefire is not a sign of leadership; it’s the result of political deals that could have been made from the outset. The U.S. continues to be complicit in this crisis, from providing military aid to enabling Israel’s violations of international law. True peace and justice can only be achieved by ending U.S. support for genocide and holding Israel accountable for its actions.