Gaza ceasefire holds, winter worsens humanitarian crisis
According to health officials in Gaza, more than 400 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was implemented on Oct 10.
KATHMANDU: Over the past two months, Hamas and Israel have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
Israel claims that Hamas has attacked its soldiers, while Hamas accuses Israel of ongoing killings.
According to health officials in Gaza, more than 400 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was implemented on Oct 10.
Meanwhile, the harsh winter has worsened humanitarian conditions, damaging shelters and already weakened buildings.
A December UN report states that powerful storms and floods have affected nearly 55,000 households.
As the year draws to a close, the ceasefire has largely held, but serious questions remain about Gaza’s future.
Key issues, such as the disarmament of Hamas and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, remain unresolved. Hamas has refused to give up its weapons, demanding that Israel halt all ceasefire violations before a second phase of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military chief has described the “Yellow Line” as a new boundary within Gaza, from which Israeli forces have not fully withdrawn.
Despite these challenges, Gaza’s children express hope that the New Year will bring relief from death, shelling, and hunger, and allow them to return to school.
