Gaza, 6 months of ceasefire but little relief

Six months after guns fell largely silent in Gaza, the ceasefire is holding — just. For 2 million Palestinians, the milestone brings little relief. Aid is scarce, reconstruction stalled, and diplomacy distracted by a widening regional crisis.

A Ceasefire in Name, Not Reality

The deal halted the worst of the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, but little else has followed. Disarmament remains unresolved, Hamas still governs, and no international force has arrived. Aid trickles through a single Israeli-controlled crossing, leaving most residents stranded in tents or shattered homes.

Conditions on the ground are deteriorating, not stabilising. Humanitarian groups warn the ceasefire’s core promises are slipping out of reach.

Diplomacy Derails as Region Ignites

Attention has shifted sharply to the Iran war, draining urgency from Gaza negotiations. A fragile two-week truce there is already straining under conflicting interpretations, particularly over Lebanon where Israeli strikes continue and tensions with Hezbollah risk escalation.

The US-led “Board of Peace,” launched with $7bn in pledges, has stalled. It has not reconvened since its initial meeting — held just days before strikes on Iran began.

Without deadlines or sustained pressure, talks with Hamas over disarmament are drifting. Officials admit patience is finite, but leverage appears thin.

Aid Collapses, Prices Surge

Humanitarian agencies report an 80% drop in aid trucks entering Gaza in early March. Prices for basic goods have surged. Medical evacuations have slowed to a near standstill.

Five major aid groups say the ceasefire plan is “failing” on humanitarian terms. Any progress, they note, has relied on inconsistent high-level pressure — largely absent in recent weeks.

Violence Persists in the Shadows

Despite the truce, violence continues. Israeli strikes and gunfire near military zones are ongoing, while militants have launched sporadic attacks.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says 738 people have been killed since the ceasefire began. The overall death toll since October 2023 now exceeds 72,000.

Lives on Hold, Hope Fading

For civilians, the ceasefire feels abstract. Disease is spreading, infrastructure is broken, and daily survival dominates.

“It’s as if there’s no ceasefire at all,” said one displaced resident. Others describe a war that has simply changed shape — quieter, but no less suffocating.

A deal without direction

With mediators like Egypt and Qatar focused elsewhere, and fears rising over a broader regional spillover, Gaza risks slipping into strategic neglect.

The choice, diplomats warn, remains stark: rebuild or relapse into war. For now, neither path is being fully pursued — and the clock is ticking.

Gaza marks 6 months of ceasefire but 'life is still terrible'