What's happened
Following Israel's withdrawal from parts of Gaza, thousands of Palestinians are returning to heavily damaged areas amid ongoing humanitarian crises. The ceasefire has allowed some aid and rescue efforts, but destruction remains extensive, and conditions are dire for returning families.
What's behind the headline?
The ceasefire marks a critical, albeit temporary, pause in Gaza's ongoing conflict, but the scale of destruction underscores the deep-rooted humanitarian crisis. The UN describes Gaza's damage as 'catastrophic,' with over 90% of housing destroyed and basic services collapsed. The return of displaced families highlights resilience but also exposes the urgent need for substantial aid, shelter, and reconstruction. Israel's continued control of entry points hampers relief efforts, prolonging suffering and risking further deterioration. The transfer of prisoners and the military's expanded presence suggest that Israel aims to maintain strategic control even during the truce, raising questions about the sustainability of peace efforts. The destruction and displacement will likely have long-term consequences, with recovery expected to take generations. The international community's response remains critical, but the underlying political tensions threaten to undermine the fragile ceasefire, making durable peace elusive in the near term.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the ground realities, including the destruction and return of displaced Palestinians, emphasizing the scale of humanitarian needs. The New Arab provides detailed accounts of the aftermath, including the recovery of bodies and ongoing Israeli military movements, highlighting the ongoing violence and control measures. Both sources underscore the devastating impact of the conflict, with Al Jazeera focusing on the human stories and the UN's assessment of destruction, while The New Arab details the military and political maneuvers surrounding the ceasefire and prisoner transfers. The contrasting perspectives reveal a complex picture: one of resilience amid destruction, and another of strategic control and ongoing conflict.
How we got here
The recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was preceded by two years of relentless Israeli bombardment and ground invasion, which caused widespread destruction and displacement in Gaza. Over this period, Israel's blockade and military actions have decimated infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in tents and makeshift shelters. The conflict has resulted in over 67,700 deaths since October 2023, with Gaza's housing stock over 90% damaged or destroyed. The current ceasefire, brokered with US involvement, aims to facilitate prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid, but the situation remains fragile and complex.
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Common question
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Gaza ceasefire: What’s happening on the ground now?
The recent ceasefire in Gaza has brought a temporary pause to ongoing violence, but what is actually happening on the ground? Many residents are returning to their homes amid widespread destruction, while tensions and humanitarian challenges persist. Here’s what you need to know about the current situation, including the state of Gaza’s infrastructure, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the ongoing risks. Read on to get clear answers to your most pressing questions about Gaza right now.
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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
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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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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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.