What's happened
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated it, resulting in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023. Despite ongoing attacks, Israel continues military operations in Gaza, with reports of new strikes, tunnel fighting, and violations of international agreements. Egypt trains Palestinian police for Gaza security.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing violations of the ceasefire by Israel highlight the fragile nature of the current truce and the persistent military dominance over Gaza. The continued attacks, including shelling and tunnel fighting, suggest that Israel aims to weaken Hamas and other militant groups, but at a significant humanitarian cost. The training of Palestinian police by Egypt indicates a shift towards a potential post-war security arrangement, yet the deep-rooted tensions and tunnel warfare suggest that peace remains elusive. The UN reports of torture and violations of international law further complicate the prospects for a sustainable resolution. The international community's response appears limited, with ongoing Israeli military actions and regional tensions, especially with Hezbollah's threats and Lebanon's instability, foreshadowing a prolonged conflict.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports persistent Israeli violations and ongoing military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the continued breaches of the ceasefire and the high civilian toll. Al Jazeera highlights the tragic civilian casualties from drone strikes and shelling, with reports of deaths beyond the Yellow Line and ongoing Israeli attacks. Both sources underscore the escalation despite international calls for restraint, with The New Arab providing detailed casualty figures and violations, while Al Jazeera offers on-the-ground accounts of recent strikes and their impact. The contrasting focus on military actions and civilian suffering illustrates the complex, multi-layered nature of the conflict, with both sources emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the failure of diplomatic efforts.
How we got here
The conflict escalated in October 2023, leading to widespread casualties and destruction in Gaza. A ceasefire was brokered on October 10, but violations have persisted, with Israeli military operations continuing across Gaza and the West Bank. Egypt is preparing a Palestinian police force to stabilize Gaza post-conflict, amid ongoing international concern over violations and humanitarian crises.
Go deeper
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has