108. the war in Gaza is still on
It was a celebratory day when, on September 29, the United States unveiled a 20-point plan, although it did not involve any input from the Palestinians. The plan aims to end Israel’s conflict in Gaza, secure the release of the remaining captives held there, allow full humanitarian aid entry into the besieged area, and outline a three-phase withdrawal of Israeli forces.
It was understood that there would be no more attacks on innocent civilians. Also, the ceasefire stipulated that full aid would be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip.
However, the reality on the ground remains very different.
A report states that Israel launched attacks on Gaza on 25 of the past 31 days of the ceasefire.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has killed at least 242 Palestinians and injured 622.
Just two days' accounts are sufficient to understand the ground situation –
On October 19, after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire following the death of two Israeli soldiers in Rafah, Israeli forces conducted a massive wave of air raids across the Gaza Strip, killing 45 people.
On October 29, Israel killed 109 people, including 52 children, following a gunfight in Rafah that resulted in the death of one Israeli soldier.
Despite ongoing attacks, the US maintains that the ceasefire remains in effect.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), only half of the needed food aid is currently reaching Gaza.
Between October 10 and November 9, only 3,451 trucks have reached their intended destinations within Gaza.
According to truck drivers, aid deliveries are facing significant delays, with Israeli inspections taking much longer than expected.
According to the Government Media Office, as of November 6, only 4,453 trucks had entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, out of an expected 15,600.
This averages about 171 trucks daily, far short of the 600 trucks per day that were supposed to enter.
I cannot understand why the Trump administration is so determined to deceive the world and appear foolish by claiming that 15,000 trucks carrying commercial goods and humanitarian aid have entered Gaza since October 10. Palestinians and aid organizations strongly contest this number.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has announced that Israel is violating international law by continuously restricting aid into Gaza, leading to severe shortages of food and essential supplies for the population.
UNRWA has sufficient food, tents, and other essential supplies to sustain the entire population for approximately three months. However, these supplies are stored outside in Jordan and Egypt and cannot be brought in.
UNRWA was founded in 1948 to assist the 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced during the war surrounding Israel's establishment. Originally meant to be a temporary solution, nearly eighty years on, UNRWA continues to be a vital source of health, education, social services, and other support in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israel cut diplomatic relations with UNRWA, accusing the organization of infiltration by Hamas and allowing extensive misuse of its facilities by terrorists.
Surprisingly, Israel has blocked more than 350 essential and nutritious food items, including meat, dairy, and vegetables crucial for a balanced diet. Instead, non-nutritious foodstuffs are being allowed, such as snacks, chocolate, crisps, and soft drinks.
Israel has pledged not to create a Palestinian state, and the US has maintained its widespread arms shipments and diplomatic backing for Israel, offering only vague comments regarding Gaza’s future.
The global community must understand that peace will stay out of reach for both Israelis and Palestinians without a political solution.