Renewed Gaza strikes by the Israeli forces have led to concerns. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has carried out a renewed web of air strikes in Gaza that led to the deaths of more than four hundred Gazans and initiated targeted ground operations. The strikes during the ongoing Gaza ceasefire — agreed between Israel and Hamas in January 2025 —led to protests in many countries including Palestine, the United States and Israel, which wants all of the remaining hostages back. But it remains unclear whether and how much the Gaza Ceasefire Deal will progress due to the renewed Israeli strikes.
The Gaza ceasefire deal, a promising deal brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar that may lead to a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, has brought back Gazans who left their homes due to the more than one-year-long Israel-Hamas war, which killed more than 50 thousand, and raised hopes for residents in Gaza. By this time, the warring parties had been moving forward to negotiate in the second phase of the ceasefire deal and different parties had proposed post-war Gaza plans. But renewed Israeli strikes on Gazans will lead to further deaths, destruction and displacement and, more importantly, it will put a hindrance to much sought-after peace. Along with the deaths of many, many have by this time left their residential places due to the renewed strikes.
But a pertinent aspect is whether renewed Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip can lead to a larger war in the Middle East. A larger war may not be unsurprising at all, even though its chance is less now, given that strikes continue, forces are applied to evacuate Gazans from their lands and peace steps remain un-emphasized and unrealized. Notably, renewed strikes may lead to anger among many other countries, along with Iran, including many Arab countries that endorsed the Egypt-proposed post-war Gaza reconstruction plans —willingly or unwillingly. By this time, there were also somewhat repetitions including the Houthi-US escalation over the Red Sea issues, Iran strongly reacted to renewed strikes and several Arab countries including Egypt and Qatar condemned these.
Photo credit: https://edition.cnn.com/.
Whatever the possibility of the larger war may be, the Gaza ceasefire deal has in the meantime become more challenging at least somewhat after the renewed strikes of the IDF. But the deal is yet to be completely discarded despite renewed strikes. While the release of the remaining hostages is desired, the ending of the war and peace in Gaza are also desired. But putting emphasis on negotiation talks is vital on the terms and conditions of the post-war Gaza Strip arrangements and will help end the conflict and reach peace in Gaza. But the supplies of food, fuel and medicines to Gaza also need to remain undisturbed.
Pertinently saying, protests against renewed Israeli strikes may go on in several countries. But peaceful protests against the latest strikes are desired not to be hindered in different countries including Israel. The use of force on the protesters, as it was seen in different countries during the pre-Gaza deal war between Israel and Hamas, also needs to be avoided, along with refraining from the arbitrary arrests and detention of protesters.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
