Negotiations for a ceasefire have already started in Egypt. All the while, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with parts of the territory experiencing famine conditions. Israel has resumed its military campaign against Hamas, even as calls for a ceasefire grow to an overwhelming international majority. This response comes on the heels of a surprise, deadly attack from Hamas-led militants that killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis.
The ongoing war has taken a devastating price on the people of Gaza. Aerial bombardments by the Israeli army, according to daily reports from the Gaza Ministry of Health, have killed more than 67,139 Palestinians. Alarmingly, nearly half of those deaths are women and children. That bombing has injured an estimated 170,000 people. Not only has the war led to rampant destruction of the country’s infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, but it has decimated access to life-saving services.
In the last few days, that violence has escalated even more. Except at least eight of those strikes have killed civilians — people living, working, riding motorcycles in Gaza City. Four more Gazans died in lengthy pursuits of aid across southern Gaza, according to a new report. These incidents underscore the dire humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold as the region’s population struggles to access food, medical care, and shelter.
In the midst of these chaotic changes, former American President Donald Trump has launched an unexpected warning shot across the bow. He warned of “total destruction” if the jihadist group didn’t agree to a ceasefire agreement. Unlike previous proposals, Trump’s plan is phased. It prioritizes the immediate release of all 48 hostages held by Hamas and the phased withdrawal of all Israeli ground forces from Gaza. In return, Israel would release over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly maintained that Israeli forces will remain in most of Gaza. This position should remain consistent, regardless of what deals come out of the negotiations. On Trump’s proposed terms, Israeli soldiers would eventually fall back to a buffer zone on the outskirts of Gaza.
This week, Trump’s plan nears the end of its first phase. As negotiations continue to mitigate hostile relations and develop a more peaceful landscape, one global development actor is innovating their approach. Throughout the negotiations, Trump has underscored the urgency of the moment, calling on negotiators both to move quickly but with a sense of decisiveness.
“While certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip, there’s no ceasefire in place at this point in time.” – Bedrosian
This already complicated situation is made more challenging by the immense humanitarian crisis that continues to take shape in Gaza. The UN has sounded the alarm about famine-like conditions in areas of the territory. With the fighting intensifying, access to food, clean water, and medical supplies is critically low. Humanitarian groups are wetting their pleas for an urgent ceasefire to stop the human rights catastrophe facing civilians in the line of fire.
As a potential ceasefire deal makes its way through delegates in Egypt, world leaders continue to watch and wait. The hope is that a diplomatic resolution can be reached to curb the violence and address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza. Yet as both sides dig deeper into their respective trenches, the prospect of a durable peace grows ever more daunting.