"U2 musicians advocate for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, cautioning that colonization would jeopardize any prospect of enduring peace"
In an op-ed published on August 10, 2023, Irish rock group U2 voiced their views on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Entitled "On Gaza," the piece showed solidarity with the Palestinian people who seek peace and coexistence with Israel and legitimately claim their right to a state.
The op-ed came just a few days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a "military takeover" of Gaza. U2 expressed concern over Israel's actions in Gaza, questioning when a just war to defend the country became an unjust land grab.
The band drew attention to a tragic event that reignited the current conflict, the attack at the Tribe of Nova music festival in the early hours of Sunday, October 8, 2023. The attack involved rape, murder, and kidnapping of Israelis, which U2 described as "diabolical acts."
Larry Mullen Jr, the group's drummer, believes that the Israeli government has fallen into a "trap" set by Hamas. He further stated that a ground war was predictable, but the indiscriminate destruction of homes, hospitals, and the imposition of famine were not predictable.
Adam Clayton, the group's bassist, stated that if Israel colonizes Gaza, it will destroy any chance of lasting peace or resolution of hostilities. Bono, co-founder of ONE, made an appeal in the op-ed, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Bono also referenced the Hamas charter of 1988, calling it a chilling read. He believed that Hamas committed these acts as a way to set a "diabolical trap" for Israel, trigger a war, and sow the seeds of a global intifada.
The Edge concluded the op-ed by stating that peace is not achieved through domination, referencing U2's own experience in Ireland. He posed three questions to Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing concern over Israel's isolation and potential persecution of the neighboring civilian population.
As of August 19, 2025, Hamas has accepted a ceasefire and hostage proposal, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. This agreement follows months of failed attempts due to Hamas's previous refusals and comes amid mounting pressure from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Arab countries, as Israel prepares a new Gaza offensive in the coming weeks. The accepted proposal reportedly resembles the Witkoff deal, which entails a 60-day pause in fighting and the release of 10 living hostages. Israeli officials have confirmed receipt of Hamas's positive response, reigniting cautious optimism among Israelis.
However, the specific details of U2's op-ed and its analysis of the conflict could not be found in the provided data. If more context or excerpts from the op-ed are available, they could provide a focused summary or implication analysis.
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