What's happened
Two months after a ceasefire, Gaza faces ongoing hardships, including destroyed homes, flooding, and shortages of shelter and essentials. The region remains unstable as Israel, the US, and Hamas dispute Gaza’s future, delaying reconstruction and aid efforts amid ongoing suffering.
What's behind the headline?
Gaza’s current crisis underscores the deep political impasse hindering recovery. The destruction of over 120,000 buildings and the estimated $70 billion needed for reconstruction highlight the scale of the challenge. International aid is limited by fears of military use, and Israel restricts entry of construction materials, prolonging suffering. The ongoing dispute between Israel, the US, and Hamas prevents effective aid deployment, risking further deterioration of living conditions. The storm’s flooding and sanitation issues compound the crisis, risking health outbreaks. The situation will likely worsen unless political solutions emerge, as Gaza’s population continues to endure a humanitarian catastrophe with little immediate relief in sight.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that Gaza’s residents are living in damaged buildings or makeshift tents, with over 1.3 million lacking proper shelter. The Japan Times highlights residents extracting iron rods from rubble to build tents amid freezing temperatures, illustrating the dire living conditions. Reuters emphasizes the slow pace of rubble clearance and the economic hardship faced by families, with many relying on salvaged materials for survival. All sources agree that political deadlock and security concerns are preventing substantial aid and reconstruction, prolonging Gaza’s suffering.
How we got here
The recent conflict in Gaza was triggered by Hamas attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a devastating Israeli military response that destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure. Despite a ceasefire reached in October 2025, rebuilding remains stalled due to political disagreements and security concerns, leaving many Palestinians displaced and vulnerable.
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