**Jerusalem/Gaza City –** Hopes for a substantive de-escalation in Gaza appear to be waning as Israeli forces continued their operations across the besieged enclave, even as the United States announced the commencement of "phase two" of a proposed ceasefire framework. The development has been met with considerable pessimism by Palestinians, who question the efficacy of any proposed truce that does not fundamentally alter their dire living conditions and end the relentless violence.
Reports emerging on Thursday evening detailed a series of Israeli strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least ten Palestinians. Among the incidents were the bombing of two residential buildings in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, which claimed the lives of six individuals, including a 16-year-old minor. Further fatalities were reported in separate incidents, including one person shot dead near the Al-Alam roundabout and another killed in an attack on a police post. An Israeli air strike on the Al-Khatib family home also resulted in two casualties. These attacks underscore a grim reality for Gazans, where civilian casualties have become a tragically frequent occurrence since the initiation of hostilities.
The timing of these operations coincides with the United States’ declaration of the launch of the second stage of a comprehensive 20-point ceasefire proposal aimed at achieving a cessation of hostilities with Hamas. However, the practical implications of this "phase two" remain opaque, with Israel signalling its intention to unilaterally define its parameters. This assertive stance has fuelled scepticism among Palestinians, who perceive Israel's actions as a deliberate attempt to dictate the terms of any future agreement, potentially undermining its substantive impact. Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili observed that the recent attacks "underscored Israel’s message that it would be defining phase two of the ceasefire 'on its terms'."
Hamas, through its Qassam Brigades, has vehemently condemned what it described as a "despicable crime" in targeting the al-Hawli family home, asserting that such actions demonstrate the "contempt" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the existing ceasefire. Israel, meanwhile, has indicated that one of the individuals killed was a commander within the Qassam Brigades, implying a justification for the operation rooted in counter-terrorism efforts. This has created a complex and volatile dynamic, where Israeli security objectives appear to be pursued concurrently with, or perhaps in defiance of, diplomatic efforts towards a lasting truce.
The ongoing bloodshed adds to a devastating toll, with at least 451 Palestinians reportedly killed since the current ceasefire measures took effect, a figure that tragically includes over 100 children. For many Palestinians, the prospect of a mere procedural shift in ceasefire negotiations offers little solace. Their primary concern remains the cessation of bombing and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, which they believe are prerequisites for any genuine improvement in their lives. The Israeli military's prior directives for residents to evacuate more than half of Gaza, coupled with the continued presence of troops behind a designated "yellow line," further complicate the narrative, suggesting that Israeli operational control remains paramount.
The proposed "phase two" of the ceasefire, as outlined by the US, is reportedly set to involve the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic administration under the supervision of an international "Board of Peace." While this suggests a potential pathway towards governance reform, the prevailing sentiment in Gaza is one of profound doubt. The continued Israeli military actions, coupled with the government's stated intention to define the ceasefire's progression unilaterally, leave little room for optimism. The specter of "escalation" also remains a palpable threat, casting a long shadow over any nascent hopes for lasting peace in the war-torn enclave.