Nearly six months after a fragile ceasefire came into force in Gaza, Palestinians in this war-torn territory are still struggling. In the markets, there are again shortages of some goods and rising prices – with merchants saying supplies brought in from Israel have been disrupted by the new war in the region. What does the war between Iran and Israel have to do with us? Prices have doubled here. Goods aren't coming in like before, says a shopper, Hassan Faqawi, despairingly. In this situation, the whole world is focused on Iran, America, and Israel, and Gaza is forgotten.
While world attention has turned to the Iran war, there is increasing uncertainty about what happens in Gaza at a crucial stage in President Trump's 20-point peace plan, which halted the fighting in October last year. In the past week at the UN Security Council, the High Representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, laid out a detailed plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission their weapons, linking compliance to the start of reconstruction.
However, a Palestinian official familiar with Hamas affairs expressed skepticism that Hamas would accept these proposals, escalating fears of a return to military offensives. With Israeli airstrikes continuing in Gaza, causing further civilian casualties, residents remain uncertain about the future.
Recent rains have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to overflowing sewage systems in crowded tent camps. Despite assurances from the Trump administration of full aid to Gaza and plans for infrastructure rehabilitation, many humanitarian organizations argue that insufficient materials are entering the territory. Officials from Oxfam emphasize the dire situation, stating that recovery efforts lag largely due to negotiations over minimal resources.
While Hamas initially welcomed the formation of a new technocratic committee to manage Gaza, reports indicate that the group has begun to reassert its authority, complicating governance further.
As Gazans continue to voice their frustrations over high prices and lack of control, the prospect for peace looks more uncertain than ever as international focus shifts toward Iran and away from the plight of Gaza.
While world attention has turned to the Iran war, there is increasing uncertainty about what happens in Gaza at a crucial stage in President Trump's 20-point peace plan, which halted the fighting in October last year. In the past week at the UN Security Council, the High Representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, laid out a detailed plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission their weapons, linking compliance to the start of reconstruction.
However, a Palestinian official familiar with Hamas affairs expressed skepticism that Hamas would accept these proposals, escalating fears of a return to military offensives. With Israeli airstrikes continuing in Gaza, causing further civilian casualties, residents remain uncertain about the future.
Recent rains have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to overflowing sewage systems in crowded tent camps. Despite assurances from the Trump administration of full aid to Gaza and plans for infrastructure rehabilitation, many humanitarian organizations argue that insufficient materials are entering the territory. Officials from Oxfam emphasize the dire situation, stating that recovery efforts lag largely due to negotiations over minimal resources.
While Hamas initially welcomed the formation of a new technocratic committee to manage Gaza, reports indicate that the group has begun to reassert its authority, complicating governance further.
As Gazans continue to voice their frustrations over high prices and lack of control, the prospect for peace looks more uncertain than ever as international focus shifts toward Iran and away from the plight of Gaza.
