"In order to understand Gaza in 2012, one ought to trace its origin back to 1948. Two thirds of the Palestinians of Gaza are refugees who were kicked out of their cities, towns, and villages in 1948. In After the Last Sky, the late Palestinian thinker Edward Said argues that every Palestinian knows perfectly well that what has happened to us over the last six decades is 'a direct consequence of Israel’s destruction of our society in 1948...'"

Congratulations are raining as friends of the Palestinians respond with delight to the United Nations' resounding "Yes!" to Palestine's non-member observer state status as of November 29, 2012. But before giving free rein to their excitement, the Palestinian people - and their allies - should read the actual text of the resolution.

Nadia Hijab asks, what does the UN fine print - which promoted Palestine as a non-member observer state - really mean?

Ali Abunimah explains how the Palestinian president has accomplished more for Israel than he has for Palestine.

"Palestine not only has a pie in the sky, it also has one off the coast of Gaza and many more across the land. The pies here are strategic economic assets for a Palestinian economy worthy of a state. But all of them are under total Israeli military control, rendering them paralyzed at best."

Al-Shabaka guest author Rami Zurayk, with Anne Gough, report that the food and farming sector in Gaza has been severely maimed, worsening the condition of agricultural sector.

Let's be clear: Israel's latest operation in Gaza is not about security. Cease-fires between Hamas-ruled Gaza and Israel have brought security for months on end and there is ample evidence to show that Israel is largely responsible for truce breakdowns.

Israel decided to escalate the conflict last Wednesday with its assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed al-Ja'abari despite a truce that had been observed by all Palestinian factions during the previous two days.

A BOMB falls close to our neighbourhood in Gaza; I check Facebook to see if everyone has survived. A young cousin, Nihal, writes in her status: "Shoot, I should have had my nap earlier today, didn't know it was going to be a sleepless night.". Another cousin jokes: "We were happy it rained in Gaza but weren't expecting the water falling to turn into bombs." For the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, humour helps to mask the terror they are experiencing.

Alaa Tartir and Jeremy Wildeman say it is time to look for alternative models of aid, ones that do not simply seek new ways for the Palestinians to cope with life under occupation, but rather challenge the status quo while enabling Palestinians to survive.

Two Al-Shabaka advisors and one guest author recommend three new policies that international donors should follow if independent Palestinian development shall ever be realized.