As the first major sign of progress in the Middle East since the war began more than a year ago, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire came as a relief to many across the region. But for Palestinians in Gaza and families of hostages held in the territory, the news seemed only to inaugurate a newer, grimmer period of the battle there. For them, it marked yet another overlooked opportunity to end the fighting that has pushed on for nearly 14 months.
The fighting between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants struck Israel from Gaza, killing around 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has heaped devastation on Palestinian territory, slaying over 44,000 people. Palestinians now worry Israel’s military can return its full emphasis to Gaza—a point that Netanyahu made as he announced the truce in Lebanon.
Palestinians had expected that any ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah would include a ceasefire in Gaza as well. The families of people abducted when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel in October 2023, meanwhile, wanted part of the deal to include returning their loved ones. Instead, the truce was confined only to the fighting in Lebanon. In Lebanon, onflicIsrael said it strived to drive Hezbollah back from the countries’ shared border and finish the militant group’s barrages into northern Israel. The truce that took effect is intended to do that.
In Gaza, Israel’s objectives are more sweeping. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been resolute in demanding that Hamas must be destroyed and Israel must maintain lasting control over parts of the territory. Months of discussions have failed to get Netanyahu to back down from those demands or to persuade Hamas to release hostages under those terms.
For Palestinians in Gaza, that indicates continuing suffering under an Israeli campaign that has destroyed much of the territory and driven almost the whole population from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are heading hungry while living in squalid tent municipalities as the second winter of the war brings cold rains and flooding. Israeli troops are already employed in a fierce battle in Gaza’s north, where a two-month offensive has cut off most support and forced experts to warn a starvation may be underway. Strikes all over the territory regularly kill dozens.
