US President Donald Trump is winning praise from all across the world for his efforts to secure peace in war-torn Gaza and the safe return of Israeli hostages.
But, even as the global leaders are finalising the nuances of the peace deal, tensions seem to be back in the region.
On Tuesday, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced severe tests as Israeli forces opened fire, killing at least five Palestinians in Gaza City despite the truce.
Clashes and tensions persist amid a partial Israeli military withdrawal, with Hamas militants reasserting control across Gaza and executing accused collaborators, demonstrating internal strife.
Why Gaza peace deal seem to be in danger?
Gaza’s ceasefire is already showing serious cracks.
Israeli forces opened fire, killing at least five Palestinians, even as people were just inspecting their homes in a suburb east of Gaza City. It is a stark reminder that tensions are far from easing, despite the truce.
At the same time, Hamas is reasserting its control across Gaza.
They have been carrying out public executions of people accused of collaborating with Israel, a brutal show of power and defiance, especially since Israel has been demanding that they disarm.
Videos of these killings have been circulating, and Hamas has confirmed they are real.
On top of that, clashes between Hamas and rival factions inside Gaza have left many more dead, highlighting deep instability within the territory.
Humanitarian aid is also running into major roadblocks. Israel has been slow to ramp up deliveries and continues to keep the Rafah border with Egypt closed, blaming Hamas for not handing over the bodies of hostages quickly enough.
This is only making the humanitarian crisis worse, with basic supplies and medical care desperately needed.
Meanwhile, Hamas has sent workers to clear rubble and fix essential infrastructure, hoping to eventually make aid distribution possible.
With Hamas fighters back on the streets and violence still flaring up, it’s clear that this ceasefire faces huge challenges, and that reaching any sort of lasting peace right now seems incredibly difficult.
Complex road ahead
The ceasefire, brokered by President Donald Trump, includes a phased approach. The idea is that Israeli forces pull back to certain agreed-upon lines, and in return, Hamas is supposed to release all living hostages within 72 hours of that withdrawal.
The bodies of hostages who didn’t make it are set to be returned later.
On paper, it sounds straightforward, but of course, nothing ever really is. Humanitarian aid is supposed to ramp up a lot, but there are still delays, thanks to border restrictions and ongoing security concerns.
Now, here’s the big sticking point: Hamas. Israel wants them to disarm and give up control of Gaza, but Hamas isn’t budging.
So the plan is to bring in a temporary, technocratic administration to run Gaza’s public services under international supervision.
There would also be an international stabilization force, tasked with keeping the peace and training vetted Palestinian police.
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