A formal ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since October of last year. The agreement ended two years of full-scale fighting and released the remaining hostages taken in Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
But further progress has been conspicuous by its absence. Hamas has not disarmed and the Israeli military has continued to advance. So far, there is no international stabilization force in place and the reconstruction of the devastated Gaza has not begun.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still live in tent camps in miserable conditions.
According to the US and Israel, the process is being delayed by Hamas’s refusal to disarm. Hamas, instead, accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire with regular attacks that, according to local medical sources, have killed hundreds of Palestinians since the ceasefire came into effect.
Israel now controls about 60 percent of Gaza, compared to about 50 percent when the ceasefire was signed.
Continued attacks
In both Gaza and Lebanon, Israel asserts its right to strike in response to attacks, perceived threats, or attempts by suspects to cross sometimes unclear front lines that shift as Israel conquers more territory.
A ceasefire reached in April has not had much impact on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Attacks have continued, particularly in southern Lebanon. Over the weekend, Israeli troops captured the medieval castle of Beaufort, after which Hezbollah responded with rocket attacks even deeper into northern Israel.
Israel has vowed to continue fighting until the threat of rocket and drone attacks on the country’s north is eliminated. Iran, meanwhile, claims that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a prerequisite for a possible ceasefire with the United States.
Closed again
In early April, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the United States, Iran, and Israel, with the aim of ending the war and opening the Strait of Hormuz.
Initially, Iran announced that the strait would be opened, but it was closed again after the US blocked Iranian ports. Now negotiations continue, while the countries continue to attack each other.
As recently as last week, the parties appeared close to an agreement, but so far none has been reached. The US President, Donald Trump, has threatened to resume the war if Iran does not give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while Iranian officials have said they will not discuss the issue until a more lasting ceasefire is reached.
