Israeli Fire Kills Palestinians in Gaza Amid Impasse Over Ceasefire
Israeli fire killed at least two people and injured three others in Rafah and Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, raising fears among Palestinians that the ceasefire could collapse altogether after Israel imposed a total blockade on the shattered enclave. Hamas says an agreed second phase must now begin, leading to a permanent Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war. The mediators and guarantors bear full responsibility for preventing (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu from sabotaging all efforts made to reach the agreement and for protecting the agreement from collapsing.
- If this pattern of brinkmanship continues, it could set a disturbing precedent for how nations use their power to extract concessions, rather than working towards long-term solutions that benefit all parties.
- What will happen when the blockade is lifted, and Gaza's economy – already on the brink of collapse – is forced to confront the scale of destruction and loss that has been inflicted upon its people?