Gaza Tensions Rise as Peace Efforts Stall

Recent Violence

• Location: Central and Southern Gaza
• Victims: Five Palestinians, including two young boys
• Incidents:
• Deir Al-Balah: Three people, including a 10-year-old boy, killed by Israeli tank shells
• Khan Younis: A 13-year-old boy and a woman shot dead in separate incidents

Background

• Ceasefire: Since October, Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire
• Israeli Actions: Increased military presence in Gaza, leading to more Palestinian displacements

Israeli Military Statement

• Claimed to have neutralized a militant threatening their soldiers
• No comment on other incidents

U.S. Peace Plan

• Current Status: Stalled after the first stage (ceasefire, partial troop withdrawal, hostage release)
• Next Steps: Undecided, pending Hamas disarmament and further Israeli troop withdrawal

Disputes and Delays

• Israel's Demand: Hamas must hand over the remains of the last Israeli hostage
• Hamas' Response: Claims to have searched but unable to find the body, blames Israeli military actions

Casualties Since Ceasefire

• Palestinians: Over 460 killed
• Israeli Soldiers: Three killed

Conflict Origins

• Trigger: Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people (per Israel)
• Israeli Response: Military actions resulting in 71,000 Palestinian deaths (per Gaza health authorities)