Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah may be winding down, but the situation in Gaza remains dire, with Palestinians desperate for peace. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that Israel will end the Gaza war when its goals—securing hostages’ return and weakening Hamas—are achieved. Hamas hopes a deal with Hezbollah might end the hostilities, but insists on a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal as conditions for further negotiations.
In Gaza, residents like Mohammed Nasser fear that the ceasefire in Lebanon could lead to expanded Israeli military actions in Gaza. The ongoing Israeli campaign has resulted in over 44,000 Palestinian deaths, while Gaza’s civilians face extreme conditions, including displacement, famine, and lack of aid. The UN has faced obstacles delivering aid, with many attempts blocked or impeded by Israeli authorities, though Israel denies this.
Families of hostages taken on Oct. 7 are deeply disappointed by the lack of progress toward their release, calling the ceasefire with Hezbollah a missed opportunity. Of the 251 hostages, 97 remain in captivity. Critics of Prime Minister Netanyahu argue that his focus on maintaining his coalition and political survival is delaying peace efforts. Analysts suggest that Netanyahu may wait for political shifts, such as a second Trump administration, before deciding on his next moves. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s ceasefire and its impact on Iran’s support for proxies like Hamas further complicate the situation.
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