In brief
Despite a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the situation remains dire with rising food prices and goods shortages as the focus of international attention turns towards the conflict involving Iran. Residents express despair over the lack of aid and the continued uncertainty of peace negotiations. Tensions rise as Hamas reasserts its control amidst calls for disarmament linked to reconstruction efforts.
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 suggested that Hamas would likely reject the proposals, raising the prospect of renewed military offensives as Israel's prime minister insists that Hamas disarms either the easy way or the hard way.Heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, causing sewage systems to overflow in crowded tent camps, while humanitarian agencies note that significant aid and reconstruction materials remain blocked due to security concerns. The Trump plan, while promising immediate aid, faces skepticism as Gazans continue to struggle under Israeli airstrikes and internal governance issues, with Hamas seemingly reasserting control despite losses.Amid ongoing discourse at international forums, many Palestinians voice their distrust over future peace prospects, fearing that as global focus shifts, their needs will once again become sidelined.
