Gaza Residents Face Strikes as Ceasefire Deal Stalls

Israeli attacks have continued almost daily during the ceasefire. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 1,400 people have died since the truce began on 10 October last year, including over 30 in the past week. Among them was Fida al-Toutah, 31, a mother of five who suffered a fatal head wound from gunfire inside her family’s central Gaza tent on 21 September. The IDF said it had no record of her death.

Gunfire also killed Ismail al-Bardawil, age 14, that same day in Rafah’s al-Mawasi area. His family said Israeli forces shot him while he and his brothers fished about 20m from the Mediterranean shore. Gaza’s health ministry counts more than 300 children killed during the ceasefire. Israel says its operations target Hamas members and alleges that Hamas continues breaking the agreement. At least seven Israeli troops have died in Gaza during this period.

The truce halted large-scale Israeli bombardment, increased incoming aid and medical supplies, and exchanged thousands of Palestinians detained by Israel for Gaza’s final 48 hostages. Yet most of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have endured repeated displacement, according to the UN. Many occupy tents or unsafe buildings, while the population is compressed into less than 40% of the territory. Areas near the Yellow Line are especially dangerous, but severe crowding leaves families with few alternatives.

Rebuilding remains on hold because the deal’s second phase is deadlocked. Israel limits construction supplies and equipment entering Gaza, citing security. Donald Trump proposed disarming Hamas earlier this year, but Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan in August and tied any Israeli withdrawal to genuine disarmament. Hamas says it will surrender heavy weapons only after Israel stops all aggression and leaves Gaza. Trump’s Board of Peace has separately proposed a $2.45bn (£1.85bn) recovery program.