Nearly six months after a fragile ceasefire came into force in Gaza, Palestinians in this war-torn territory are still struggling. In the markets, there are again shortages of some goods and rising prices – with merchants saying supplies brought in from Israel have been disrupted by the new war in the region.
What does the war between Iran and Israel have to do with us? Prices have doubled here. Goods aren't coming in like before, says a shopper, Hassan Faqawi, despairingly. In this situation, the whole world is focused on Iran, America and Israel, and Gaza is forgotten.
While world attention has turned to the Iran war, there is increasing uncertainty about what happens in Gaza at a crucial stage in President Trump's 20-point peace plan that halted the fighting in October last year.
In the past week at the UN Security Council, the High Representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, laid out a detailed plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission their weapons, linking compliance to the start of reconstruction. However, a Palestinian official familiar with Hamas affairs indicated that Hamas is likely to reject the proposals, heightening fears of a return to full-scale conflict.
Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli air strikes in Gaza have continued, resulting in casualties among Palestinians, including children. Furthermore, heavy rains have exacerbated existing humanitarian issues, with the recent overflow of sewage systems in crowded tent camps further complicating recovery efforts.
Commentators note distrust in the potential success of the peace process amid these challenges, raising concerns that while attention may be focused elsewhere, the situation in Gaza could deteriorate further.
What does the war between Iran and Israel have to do with us? Prices have doubled here. Goods aren't coming in like before, says a shopper, Hassan Faqawi, despairingly. In this situation, the whole world is focused on Iran, America and Israel, and Gaza is forgotten.
While world attention has turned to the Iran war, there is increasing uncertainty about what happens in Gaza at a crucial stage in President Trump's 20-point peace plan that halted the fighting in October last year.
In the past week at the UN Security Council, the High Representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, laid out a detailed plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission their weapons, linking compliance to the start of reconstruction. However, a Palestinian official familiar with Hamas affairs indicated that Hamas is likely to reject the proposals, heightening fears of a return to full-scale conflict.
Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli air strikes in Gaza have continued, resulting in casualties among Palestinians, including children. Furthermore, heavy rains have exacerbated existing humanitarian issues, with the recent overflow of sewage systems in crowded tent camps further complicating recovery efforts.
Commentators note distrust in the potential success of the peace process amid these challenges, raising concerns that while attention may be focused elsewhere, the situation in Gaza could deteriorate further.
