On Sunday, Israel prevented thousands of Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire by altering the order in which hostages were released. The situation led to violence when Israeli forces fired on crowds attempting to return, killing two people and injuring nine, according to local health officials.
Hostage dispute fuels violence
The ceasefire, which had allowed Palestinians to begin returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, was disrupted after Israel demanded the release of a specific hostage before opening the Netzarim corridor, the designated route for return. Israel claimed that Hamas failed to release a female civilian hostage, Arbel Yehoud, as scheduled. Hamas, however, countered by accusing Israel of using the hostage issue as a pretext to delay Palestinian returns, insisting Yehoud was alive and would be freed.
Despite the standoff, the ceasefire agreement, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, remains in effect but faces significant challenges. Israel, having freed 200 Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of deadly attacks, insisted that it would not open the Netzarim corridor until Yehoud was released.
Unrest and deadly clashes
In a show of frustration, Palestinians displaced by the conflict crowded roads near Israeli checkpoints, carrying their belongings in the hope of returning home. “We have been in agony for a year and a half,” said Nadia Qasem, a displaced woman waiting to return to northern Gaza.
At least two people were killed and nine others wounded, including a child, after Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd, marking a severe escalation. Israeli forces had previously withdrawn from parts of Gaza as part of the ceasefire but warned that people should avoid areas where military operations are still ongoing.
Trump’s resettlement proposal faces rejection
In a related development, US President Donald Trump suggested that most of Gaza’s population should be temporarily resettled in countries like Egypt and Jordan. The proposal, which he described as a way to “clean out” the war-ravaged enclave, was swiftly rejected by Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian officials. Hamas official Bassem Naim condemned the idea, asserting that Palestinians would not accept being displaced permanently. “We can rebuild Gaza even better than before, if only Israel lifts its blockade,” he said.
The struggle to end the conflict
The ceasefire came after over a year of negotiations following Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. While some hostages have been released, the full cessation of hostilities remains uncertain, with the second phase of negotiations set to be much more difficult. Hamas has made clear that it will not release all remaining hostages unless the war ends, while Israel has warned that it may resume its offensive unless Hamas is fully dismantled.
Since the conflict began, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, with the majority being women and children. In contrast, Israel has lost over 1,200 civilians in the October attack. As Gaza continues to suffer from widespread destruction, the path to a lasting resolution seems increasingly uncertain.
