As anyone who has followed the news knows, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has recently escalated dramatically. A tenuous ceasefire that had been temporarily reinstated Wednesday by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was already beginning to fray again. The ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10, but violence has marred its implementation. Latest press release from Gaza’s media office states that Israel is responsible for 80 violations. These illegal violations have led to unlawful killings of at least 97 Palestinians. What’s more, more than 230 people are injured, adding to the already precarious climate of an already charged situation.
The crisis has deepened even further with the latest round of Israeli airstrikes overnight. According to reports, at least 104 Palestinians, among them 35 children, lost their lives—including over 200 others injured. The mayhem caused by these strikes has shocked the world and shattered any semblance of humanitarian decency towards the people of Gaza. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense, called it a “catastrophic and terrifying” situation.
In reaction to the increasing violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting. His hoped-for achievement would be to address Hamas’s violations of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli military The IDF also released footage of Hamas militants attempting to set up a fake find. They also reburied that same body in order to confuse the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Despite the mounting casualties, Hamas claims it is unable to ascertain the exact locations of all bodies held by its units, some of which reportedly lost contact during Israeli bombardments. The terms of the ceasefire, which have been negotiated with intense mediation efforts, require that Hamas immediately return the remains of every Israeli hostage. In addition, Israel has consented to return 15 Palestinian corpses for each Israeli hostage taken.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, asserting that “others they can return now and for some reason they are not.” He more controversially hinted that any lags could be related to the demilitarization of Hamas. Trump remarked on the conflict’s dynamics, stating, “They killed an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back. And they should hit back.”
Dr. Mohammed al-Mughir highlighted specific attacks during this period, noting that “among these attacks was the targeting of a cancer patient camp, the Insan camp,” emphasizing the humanitarian toll of the ongoing strikes. Additionally, Khalil al-Hayya from Hamas reiterated that if the occupation ends, “these weapons will be handed over to the state,” suggesting that disarmament is tied to broader political resolutions.
Amidst the rising tensions, questions about the sustainability of the ceasefire hang in the air. The nature of the IDF’s operations, as well as Hamas’ responses, suggest a fragile peace that can be easily disrupted and escalated into widespread violence at any given moment.