In the past few days, Israel’s air campaign has intensified in Gaza, hitting densely populated areas like the Al Baqa café by the seaside—an attack that killed between 24 and 36 civilians enjoying a rare moment of respite. Another strike on a school sheltering displaced families reportedly killed at least 17. The most harrowing blow: elite hospital director Dr. Marwan Sultan and his family were killed when their home was struck. Israeli forces said they were targeting a Hamas militant.
All told, around 94 people were killed near aid distribution sites alone, many reaching out for basic food and water. A Palestinian medical source described how missiles hit sleeping tent camps and lineups by UN trucks, leaving bodies under rubble and crowd chaos.
Israel justifies these strikes as part of an ongoing mission to dismantle Hamas’s capability, blaming the group for embedding militants in civilian areas and orchestrating the October 7 attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis. But the result has been a staggering civilian death toll: over 57,000 Palestinians killed since late 2023, with the vast majority being non-combatants.
Root causes: cycles of violence, mistrust, weaponization of suffering
This all stems from the tragic spiral ignited by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which shattered a fragile ceasefire and triggered Israel’s prolonged military offensive. Israel’s strategy—blockades, airstrikes, and ground pressure—has been framed as necessary to neutralize Hamas. Hamas counters by saying Israel intentionally restricts food and medicine as a form of collective punishment.
Efforts for ceasefires (in January and March) have collapsed amid mutual distrust. Hamas demands binding guarantees, troop withdrawals, and prisoner exchanges—while Israel insists any ceasefire must include full disarmament of Hamas.
Grief has become politicized, with civilians as unwilling shields. Aid queues frequently become deadly, with international observers saying starvation is being used as leverage. Hospitals and schools are repeatedly caught in the crossfire, part of a devastating collapse of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.
Humanitarian fallout: desperation, broken systems
Gaza is enduring a near-total siege—no hospitals function properly, aid barely trickles in, and over 90% of homes are damaged. Food shortages and disease outbreaks—like polio—are rising rapidly.
More than 1.9 million people (90% of Gaza’s population) are internally displaced and facing critical food insecurity. With each strike, trauma deepens: children are orphaned, communities vanish, and neighbors live in constant fear.
International reactions: condemnation, cautious diplomacy
Globally, outrage is widespread. Amnesty International has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon. South Africa is pursuing genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice. The EU has called for an immediate ceasefire and condemned attacks on civilians and hospitals. Countries like Poland, Spain, South Africa, and Russia have warned that continued civilian losses risk escalating the conflict regionally.
Humanitarian leaders are also vocal. The WHO chief said peace was “the best medicine.” Amnesty International’s head emphasized how overdue a ceasefire is and how far international law is slipping. The Red Cross, UN, Save the Children, and WFP all stand ready to scale up aid once violence subsides.
Ceasefire on the table—fragile but alive
Momentum is building around a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire proposal involving phased hostage swaps and Israeli withdrawal. Hamas is deliberating via Qatar and Egypt, seeking solid guarantees of aid access and lasting calm. Israel has said it “accepted the framework,” but Netanyahu remains firm that Hamas must be weakened.
High-profile champions—former President Trump, Qatar, and Egypt—are all pushing hard. Israel’s far-right has reservations, and Hamas factions are divided. So this is hopeful, but not yet a reality.
What comes next: a glimmer of peace or a widening storm?
If a ceasefire is realized and respected, humanitarian relief could begin to rebuild hospitals, feed communities, and restore some normalcy—though long-term needs for reconstruction, justice, and political peace remain.
But risks are high: breakdowns could spiral back into warfare. Israel fears Hamas regrouping; Hamas fears betrayal and losing territory. And any spillover—like strikes in Lebanon or confrontations with Iran—could widen the war.
Regionally, thawing relations—like Israel–Saudi normalization—are linked to whether a secure resolution around Gaza emerges.
In sum: This isn’t distant geopolitics—it’s streets full of grief, rubble, empty schools, and parents who wake up fearing the next strike. The ceasefire proposal is a fragile hope, backed by powerful mediators—but trust has been shattered. The coming days will tell whether diplomacy can triumph over devastation or if this spiral pulls more parties into broader conflict.