Ongoing Crisis in Gaza: Analyzing the Aftermath of the Ceasefire

Two months have passed since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a pause in hostilities that was meant to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. According to Palestinian authorities, the Israeli military has killed at least 386 people during this period, 136 of whom are minors. These figures are deemed reliable and highlight the continuation of violence despite the ceasefire. Before the ceasefire, an average of 90 Palestinians were killed each day, showcasing a decline in daily fatalities, yet the ongoing attacks violate the purported agreements meant to bring peace. Reports from Palestinian authorities suggest over 700 violations have been documented in the last two months, primarily consisting of aerial bombings and ground incursions carried out by Israeli forces. While the intensity of attacks appears reduced, the impact remains severe, with bombings on specific days causing catastrophic loss of life—45 deaths on October 19, 109 on October 29, and 21 on November 19. In some alarming cases, Palestinians have accused the Israeli army of utilizing snipers to target civilians approaching the 'yellow line,' the demarcation beyond which the military has retreated. Meanwhile, the conflict hasn't just impacted civilians; three Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives in skirmishes with Hamas militants since the ceasefire began. Amidst this turmoil, humanitarian aid agreements have largely been ignored. Under the terms agreed upon in October, Israel was supposed to permit at least 600 trucks carrying essential goods to enter Gaza daily; however, this number averages less than 230 trucks per day. Although this is an improvement and instances of looting have dwindled, the overall aid remains insufficient for a population grappling with dire humanitarian needs. Food prices have seen a slight decrease, yet for many, they are still prohibitively high, exacerbating issues of malnutrition, especially among children—nearly 9,000 of whom are reported to require urgent treatment for acute malnutrition as of October. Last week, Israel announced plans to open the Rafah crossing with Egypt for movement of people out of Gaza. However, this opening remains contingent on Israel’s intentions regarding the returning population, which is causing friction with Egypt. The latter fears this might be a strategy to permanently displace some of Gaza’s populace. As the situation remains precarious, uncertainty looms over the possibility of advancing to the next phase of peace agreements. This basic phase currently focuses on a ceasefire and potential exchanges of hostages and prisoners, but the more complex second phase—aiming for Hamas's demilitarization, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of an international peacekeeping presence—is still far from realization. Israel's reluctance to leave the territories it currently occupies, including 58 percent of the Gaza Strip behind the yellow line, underscores its strategic interests in maintaining a buffer zone. This area contains fertile agricultural land and allows control over the populace concentrated in devastated regions. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has suggested that the 'yellow line' has effectively become a new border, serving both as a defensive measure and an operational line against potential attacks. This stance indicates a desire to maintain military presence in Gaza, exploiting the occupied land for defense purposes while further entrenching control over the territory. As these complex dynamics unfold, the hopes for a lasting resolution remain dim amid ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2