Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The situation risks spiraling out of control.
The situation risks spiralling out of control.
What is happening?
Israel has postponed opening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and curbed aid into Gaza, citing Hamas’s failure to return the bodies of deceased hostages.
Officials said the restrictions would last at least through Wednesday, deepening tensions just days after a fragile ceasefire was declared, Reuters reported Wednesday at 3 PM GMT
Hamas struggles to locate bodies of Israeli hostages
Hamas claims it’s facing difficulties recovering the bodies of at least 23 presumed-dead hostages, with one still unaccounted for.
So far, only four coffins have been returned.
This delay has angered Israeli officials and cast doubt on the viability of future ceasefire phases.
Brutal street executions signal Hamas resurgence
In a chilling video shared Monday, Hamas fighters executed seven men in a Gaza City square. The men were dragged, bound, and shot in public view.
A Hamas source confirmed the footage’s authenticity.
Trump praises ceasefire but permits Hamas to maintain order
President Trump, addressing Israel’s parliament, declared a “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” but acknowledged Hamas would temporarily oversee order in Gaza.
“We gave them approval for a period of time,” he said, despite Israel’s insistence that Hamas must be fully disarmed.
Israel stays silent on Hamas’s visible return to power
Israeli leaders have yet to publicly comment on Hamas’s renewed street presence.
With the group back in control of urban areas, enforcing its own form of justice, questions arise about the feasibility of long-term peace under Trump’s proposed settlement framework.
Aid bottleneck intensifies Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
Despite expectations of hundreds of aid trucks daily, deliveries remain limited. The Rafah crossing stays shut, blocking medical evacuations.
UNICEF reported that essential items—like tents, hygiene kits, and winter clothes—are entering Gaza, but not in sufficient volume to meet growing needs.
Gaza civilians return to ruins and rubble
As displaced Gazans return home, many find nothing but devastation. Entire blocks lie in ruins, with streets flattened by Israeli bombardment.
Civil defence teams have recovered 250 bodies since the truce, and many more are believed trapped under debris.
Clashes erupt between Hamas and rival factions
Palestinian security sources reported dozens killed in recent fighting between Hamas and rival groups.
The militant group is consolidating its grip on Gaza, deploying forces to key areas and cracking down on perceived threats to its authority.
Israeli strikes kill civilians despite ceasefire
Ceasefire violations continue to spark deadly incidents. Five Palestinians were killed by Israeli drone fire while checking on homes near Gaza City.
An airstrike in Khan Younis killed one person and injured another. Israel claimed the victims ignored warnings and crossed truce boundaries.
Hamas vows to restore law and order, targets looters
Hamas sources told Reuters the group would no longer tolerate chaos. It plans to take action against collaborators, looters, and drug dealers.
Though weakened by years of war, Hamas is attempting to rebuild its security presence and tighten control over public life.
Reconstruction efforts begin amid political deadlock
Hamas has mobilized hundreds of workers to clear rubble, fix water pipes, and open access routes.
But broader reconstruction remains stalled. A summit in Egypt—co-hosted by Trump—ended with no firm plan for international peacekeepers or a transitional governing body.
Gaza remains on edge as future of peace uncertain
The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 and kidnapped 251 sparked two years of war.
Now, with nearly 68,000 Gazans reported dead and famine looming, the truce offers only fragile hope. Without consensus on governance or disarmament, true peace remains elusive.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
