Ongoing Tensions: Israel’s Breaches of Gaza Ceasefire Threaten Peace

Recent comments from Qatar’s Prime Minister highlight growing concerns over Israel’s repeated breaches of the ceasefire in Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has called for immediate action to keep the fragile peace agreement intact and address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

Warnings from Qatar’s Leadership

Speaking after discussions with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the “delays and ceasefire violations endanger the entire process.” He pointed out that significant humanitarian aid must reach Gaza without any conditions, and urged for the immediate initiation of the second phase of the agreement aimed at enduring peace.

These discussions took place during the seventh US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, coinciding with a delicate ceasefire that has been threatened by ongoing hostilities and a deepening humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

Israel’s Ongoing Violations of the Ceasefire

Since the ceasefire was established on October 10, there have been at least 738 violations by Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 394 Palestinians and injuring over 1,075, as reported by Al Jazeera. Correspondent Alan Fisher noted that the focus of talks included increasing pressure on Israel to refrain from ongoing violations, many of which have been carried out by Israeli military forces.

Furthermore, discussions touched upon the formation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), which may incorporate troops from Indonesia and Turkey. However, Israel has expressed hesitation regarding Turkey’s involvement. Qatar continues to advocate for enhanced humanitarian aid access into Gaza, calling on the U.S. to press Israel on this critical issue.

The situation became particularly tense over the weekend when Israeli forces killed Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander, during an operation in Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the administration was examining whether this action violated the ceasefire, and conveyed a stern message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent damage to his administration’s reputation.

The Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

The humanitarian landscape in Gaza has deteriorated, especially with the arrival of harsh winter storms. Many Palestinians are now living in makeshift tents or unsafe, damaged structures. Israel’s blockade also restricts crucial supplies, including mobile homes, further compounding the suffering.

Reports indicate that only 39% of intended humanitarian aid has reached its destination within Gaza, with Israel blocking essential nutritional supplies while allowing non-essential goods to enter. Tragedies have emerged as a result; a 29-day-old premature baby and a two-week-old infant both succumbed to hypothermia this week due to the severe conditions, raising the weather-related death toll to 13. Additionally, the United Nations has reported that around 30,000 children are impacted by storm damage to their shelters.

Hamas’s Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, has warned that the ongoing violations jeopardize the viability of the truce and urged President Trump to ensure Israel honors its commitments. In defense, Netanyahu has maintained that the recent killing was justified, accusing Hamas of attempting to rearm in violation of the peace process.

As the second phase of the U.S.-backed ceasefire approaches, discussions remain difficult, especially concerning the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, with these issues proving to be more challenging than the earlier phases, which primarily addressed prisoner exchanges.

In recent statements, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is nearing the conclusion of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement, seeking to secure the return of the remains of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, the last deceased captive still unaccounted for in Gaza. Reports have surfaced regarding the condition of numerous Palestinian bodies returned by Israel, many exhibiting signs of torture and mistreatment.