Nearly six months after a fragile ceasefire came into force in Gaza, Palestinians in this war-torn territory are still struggling. In the markets, there are again shortages of some goods and rising prices – with merchants saying supplies brought in from Israel have been disrupted by the new war in the region.
What does the war between Iran and Israel have to do with us? Prices have doubled here. Goods aren't coming in like before, says a shopper, Hassan Faqawi, despairingly. In this situation, the whole world is focused on Iran, America, and Israel, and Gaza is forgotten.
World attention has turned to the Iran war, raising uncertainty about Gaza at a critical stage in President Trump's 20-point peace plan that halted the fighting in October last year. Recently, at the UN Security Council, Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, proposed a detailed plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission their weapons, linking compliance to reconstruction efforts.
However, an insider from Hamas shared with the BBC that the group would likely reject such proposals, risking a return to conflict, especially with Israel demanding complete disarmament. This volatility threatens to hinder the progress of peace arrangements.
With heavy rains recently leading to sewage overflow in crowded camps and food prices escalating, Gazans find themselves in a precarious situation. Humanitarian agencies and local officials warn that while aid pledges have been made, access to necessary reconstruction materials remains restricted, further exacerbating the dire living conditions.
Despite Hamas publicly welcoming a new technocratic committee to govern Gaza temporarily, signs indicate a consolidation of power within the organization. Recent reports detail Hamas reestablishing control through security measures, while traders express frustrations over increased taxes imposed by the group.
The political climate remains tense, as both local and global observers stress the importance of keeping the focus on Gaza amidst rising geopolitical tensions. As international leaders continue to navigate the complexities of the region, many found in Gaza share a growing skepticism of any prospective long-term peace solution.
