After six months of conflict in Gaza, prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain. More than 1,100 Israelis were killed in a surprise attack by the armed group Hamas in the south of the country. In response, the Israeli army (IDF) launched a bloody campaign on the Gaza Strip with the goal of “wiping out” Hamas and rescuing about 250 hostages that were kidnapped after the attack. Despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, the fighting continues, and more than 33,000 people have died and about 1.7 million people have had to leave their homes in Gaza.
As geopolitical tensions increase and negotiations stall, many people believe that the conflict could enter a new phase. However, whether this period will be peaceful or bloody remains unclear. Last weekend, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that IDF troops would withdraw from Gaza, including from Khan Younis city. The move was seen as a possible precursor to a ceasefire agreement in the region. However, Gallant also stated that this decision was made to ensure soldiers could rest and receive additional training to prepare for an all-out attack on Rafah city, which is considered Hamas’s last stronghold in southern Gaza. The US, European Union (EU), and United Nations have called on Israel not to send troops into Rafah, an area currently home to about 1.5 million Palestinians. Located on the Egyptian border and an important humanitarian aid center for the region.
Despite threats to continue its campaign in Gaza, Israel has also resumed negotiations for a new ceasefire with Hamas in Egypt with Qatar acting as negotiating broker is optimistic about reaching an agreement for peace in Gaza conflict. US President Joe Biden has also urged Qatar and Egypt to persuade Hamas to sit at negotiating table with him warning Prime Minister Netanyahu that US policy towards Israel may change if it does not change its approach towards deploying its campaign in Gaza Strip.”
