The Gaza Tragedy: From Genocide to Its Evolving Forms

Gaza‘s Fragile Silence: Is the Ceasefire a Path too Peace or Prolonged Suffering?

A real ceasefire would mean opening borders, rebuilding what was destroyed, and allowing life to return. But this is not happening.

(Abed Rahim Khatib / Anadolu via Getty Images)

When the bombs stopped falling endlessly on Gaza, the silence that followed for several days felt unnatural. We were not used to it after two years of waking up to the sounds of bombing and sleeping under its shadow.

After two years of relentless conflict, the recent agreement brokered by the American president has not fully ended the suffering, though it has paused some of it. Since the truce went into effect on October 11, at least 357 people have been killed, and over 900 injured, mostly by Israeli attacks. The world calls this “peace,” yet in reality “peace” here does not mean the end of anything; hunger, fear, and death remain, while the occupation continues to strangle Gaza through crossings, restrictions, and deliberate obstruction of recovery.

While Israeli forces have partially withdrawn under the agreement, Israel still controls crossings, convoy movements, and the pace at which aid enters. every truck, every patient transfer, and every piece of construction equipment still requires Israeli approval. This suffocating blockade makes a lasting recovery impractical. Humanitarian teams are unable to retrieve bodies or clear rubble due to a critical shortage of heavy and specialized equipment.

The situation is further elaborate by Israel’s continued control and threats of renewed military action. As of Friday, Hamas reiterated its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire, but acknowledged that recovery is severely hampered by the extensive destruction. The World Food Programme reports that food supplies remain below target levels, urgently requiring more crossings to be opened.

This is not a ceasefire that rebuilds; it’s a pause that perpetuates a cycle of devastation.

To what extent does the historical context of the israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically events like the Nakba and the Oslo Accords, contribute to the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza?

Historical Context & The Roots of Conflict

The ongoing crisis in Gaza isn’t a sudden eruption; it’s a deeply rooted tragedy with decades of historical context. Understanding this history is crucial to grasping the current situation. Key events include:

* 1948 Nakba: The displacement of Palestinians following the creation of Israel. This event remains central to Palestinian identity and grievance.

* 1967 Six-Day War: Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

* The First Intifada (1987-1993): A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

* The Oslo Accords (1993-2000): Attempts at a two-state solution that ultimately failed.

* Hamas’s Rise to Power (2006): Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections, leading to a political split and subsequent Israeli blockade of Gaza.

these events have created a cycle of violence, displacement, and political stagnation, fueling the current humanitarian crisis. The term “Gaza blockade” is frequently used, referring to the restrictions on the movement of people and goods into and out of the Gaza strip imposed by Israel and Egypt.

Defining the Current Crisis: Genocide Allegations & International Law

The recent escalation of violence, beginning with the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response, has sparked intense debate about whether the situation in Gaza constitutes genocide.

* The Genocide Convention: The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

* Intent vs. Consequence: A key legal challenge is proving intent. While the scale of destruction and civilian casualties is immense, demonstrating a purposeful intent to eliminate the Palestinian population is complex.

* ICJ Case: South Africa brought a case to the International Court of justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. The ICJ issued a preliminary ruling ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide.

* Humanitarian Law Violations: Regardless of whether the threshold for genocide is met,numerous reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch document widespread violations of international humanitarian law,including indiscriminate attacks,collective punishment,and restrictions on humanitarian aid.The concept of “collective punishment” is central to these accusations.

Evolving Forms of violence & Humanitarian Impact

The violence in Gaza has evolved beyond traditional warfare, encompassing new dimensions of suffering.

* Indiscriminate Bombing: Extensive aerial bombardment has resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings.

* Ground Offensive: The Israeli ground offensive has led to intense urban warfare,further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

* Siege Warfare: The ongoing blockade,coupled with restrictions on water,electricity,and fuel,constitutes a form of siege warfare,severely impacting the civilian population.

* Disease Outbreak: Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and limited access to healthcare have created conditions ripe for disease outbreaks.

* Food Insecurity: The disruption of food supplies has led to widespread food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children. The term “famine” is increasingly being used to describe the potential outcome.

Key Statistics (as of December 2025 – note: Figures are constantly changing):

* Over 20,000 Palestinians killed (according to Gaza health officials).

* Over 50,000 wounded.

* Approximately 1.9 million displaced (over 85% of the population).

* Severe shortages of medical supplies, food, and water.

The Role of International Actors & Diplomatic Efforts

The international community’s response to the Gaza tragedy has been marked by division and limited effectiveness.

* United States: The US has consistently provided military and diplomatic support to Israel, while also calling for the protection of civilians.

* European Union: The EU has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation and called for a ceasefire,but has struggled to forge a unified policy.

* United Nations: The UN has passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid, but these resolutions have frequently enough been ignored.

* arab States: arab states have condemned the violence and provided humanitarian assistance, but their political influence has been limited.

* Ceasefire Negotiations: Numerous attempts at negotiating a ceasefire have failed