GAZA – Gaza’s Health Ministry has announced that the death toll from the conflict since October 7, 2023, has reached 67,682, with more than 170,000 injured.
This grim milestone arrives as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially took hold on Friday, ushering in a pause to months of sustained hostilities.
Under the terms of the truce, Israel will begin pulling back from populated areas, while Hamas is expected to release 20 Israeli hostages within 72 hours, after which Israel will free 1,950 Palestinian prisoners.
In the minutes following the ceasefire, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their former homes in the northern Gaza Strip, often stepping into landscapes decimated by bombardment. Many found their neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, devoid of basic services or shelter.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would maintain a presence until Hamas is disarmed, warning that the process could proceed “the easy way or the hard way.”
Meanwhile, Hamas leaders rejected external oversight of Gaza’s governance and emphasised that post-war reconstruction must be Palestinian-led.
Despite the ceasefire, reports emerged of continued violence. In one 24-hour span post-ceasefire, 35 Palestinians were reportedly killed and 72 wounded, raising serious questions about the agreement’s durability.
International agencies have warned that the humanitarian needs in Gaza are immense. The United Nations and Red Cross called for expanded access to aid, pointing out that despite promises to allow 600 aid trucks per day, logistical and security constraints could limit deliveries.
The ceasefire is intended to mark the opening phase of a broader 20-point peace plan put forward by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to convene a regional summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
But multiple complex issues remain unresolved, including Gaza’s governance, security arrangements, and accountability for alleged war crimes.
As Gaza’s shattered population cautiously returns to the north, many remain traumatised and anxious that the pause could be reversed.
Still, for the first time since March, a fragile hope has returned to a region ravaged by prolonged conflict.
Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, WAFA News Agency