With a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire hanging by a thread, Palestinians in Gaza are scrambling for certainty and survival.
Even as residents returning to bombed-out communities struggled to clear space for their tents amid the rubble, a war of words between Hamas and Israel continued Tuesday over the second phase of a ceasefire that had been due to begin Sunday.
The Israeli government is refusing to implement a previously agreed-upon second phase of the ceasefire, which entails a long-term cessation of hostilities. Instead, it is pushing for a new ceasefire deal that immediately releases all or most of the Israeli hostages, which Hamas rejects.
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The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, now expired, allowed Palestinian residents to return to communities in Gaza’s devastated north. But before they can even begin to pick up the pieces of their lives, the peace framework is shaking.
Israel is also refusing to withdraw its military from what is known as the Philadelphi Corridor, Gaza’s border with Egypt, as it was scheduled to do Saturday under the ceasefire terms.
Hamas released a propaganda video of Israeli hostage Eitan Horn, while Israel increased the number of drones and fighter jets flying over Gaza, carrying out an airstrike that killed two Palestinians Monday.
As the two sides hardened their bargaining positions, Israel shut off all food and other aid entering the strip Sunday, saying its obligations expired with the end of the first ceasefire stage. That piled another challenge onto impoverished Gazans who were already struggling to rebuild their lives and shelter.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warned Sunday that the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza “will lead to more suffering.”
“The uncertainty over the ceasefire threatens humanitarian access, with aid deliveries halted and civilians once again deprived of food, water, and medical assistance,” the NRC said in a statement.
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