Israel’s Delays and Continued Strikes Expose Persistent Failures in Gaza

A ceasefire plan mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States intends to conclude Israel’s 15-month war with Hamas, with main components including a six-week truce, Israeli withdrawal, and hostage-prisoner exchanges. Despite the statement, delays and continuous attacks in Gaza have resulted in further casualties, with over 46,000 Palestinians killed and millions displaced.

Editor’s Note: The recently reported ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, while a step toward de-escalation, underscores Israel’s persistent failings in Gaza and its broader regional policy. The delay in executing the agreement, compounded by continuous bombing despite a tentative agreement, highlights Israel’s disregard for Palestinian lives and the humanitarian cost of its actions. Over 46,000 dead, mass displacement, and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure illustrate not only the brutality of the recent conflict but also decades of institutional neglect and oppression.

Despite weakening Hamas, Israel’s refusal to allow alternative government in Gaza demonstrates a lack of a genuine plan for Palestinian self-determination. Even in the context of ceasefire agreements, activities like ongoing strikes and delayed implementation demonstrate a desire for dominance rather than peace. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its role in setting and maintaining these conditions rather than just facilitating agreements that postpone rather than eliminate suffering. Without structural reform, the cycle of devastation and ineffectual diplomacy will continue to the detriment of all involved. [See also: Palestinians Doubt Ceasefire in Gaza, Gaza’s Children: Trauma, Survival, and the Failure of Media Accountability]

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