Gaza Under the Siege of Promises: Ongoing Genocide and Egregious Violations Undermine the Ceasefire and Deepen the Humanitarian Catastrophe

At a time when de-escalation agreements are supposed to give civilians in the Gaza Strip a chance to breathe, field realities are revealing a completely opposite trajectory—one defined by continued killing, expanding violations, and a deepening humanitarian tragedy. Casualty figures continue to rise, homes are targeted, and displaced families face winter without shelter, while international concern mounts over a humanitarian catastrophe now threatening both Gaza’s present and its future.

A Heavy Toll of Ongoing Genocide

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the death toll since October 7, 2023 has risen to 71,455 martyrs, with 171,347 injured, reflecting the scale of the ongoing assault on the Strip. In the past 24 hours alone, hospitals received 14 martyrs and 18 wounded. The ministry confirmed that many victims remain trapped under rubble or on roadways due to the inability of ambulance and civil defense teams to reach numerous areas.

Since the ceasefire entered into force in October, 463 Palestinians have been killed and 1,269 injured by occupation forces—clear evidence that the truce has not translated into genuine civilian protection.

Continued Targeting of Civilians, North and South

On the ground, attacks persisted across the Strip. A child was killed in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, a fisherman was wounded off the coast of Khan Younis, and a civilian sustained critical injuries in the Qizan al-Najjar area in the south. In Khan Younis as well, a Palestinian woman was killed and others wounded by gunfire targeting areas sheltering displaced people—underscoring the widening scope of attacks to include civilians in their temporary refuges.

A Bloody Night and Escalation at the Outset of Phase Two

With the launch of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, Gaza experienced one of its most tense nights. Airstrikes and shelling concentrated on multiple areas, including Shuja’iyya, Al-Zeitoun, Al-Tuffah, Deir al-Balah, and the Nuseirat Refugee Camp. These attacks caused deaths and injuries and destroyed homes and civilian facilities—violations described as flagrant breaches of the agreement and the humanitarian protocol.

Field sources confirmed that most strikes occurred beyond the so-called “yellow line,” reinforcing accusations of deliberate expansion of on-ground control at the expense of civilian lives and security.

Hamas: Repeated Violations and Deliberate Undermining of the Agreement

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) held the occupation fully responsible for the continued massacres of civilians, stating that the latest escalation constitutes repeated violations of the ceasefire and deliberately undermines regional and international efforts to stabilize the truce. The movement called on mediators and guarantor states to exert real pressure to halt these violations, rather than relying on political statements.

UN Warnings of an Unprecedented Humanitarian Disaster

On the humanitarian front, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing issued a stark warning about the worsening shelter crisis in Gaza, describing the situation as a “complete catastrophe.” He noted that more than one million displaced people lack adequate shelter, while occupation authorities block the entry of thousands of tents piled up at the borders—resulting in child deaths due to severe cold.

The UN official added that allowing fewer than 15,000 tents falls far short of the minimum needs of approximately 1.3 million people, warning that the continuation of this reality represents a moral and political failure of the international community.

Destruction Beyond the Present—A Threat to Gaza’s Future

In parallel, a UN official warned that clearing the massive destruction debris in Gaza could take more than seven years, with over 60 million tons of rubble accumulated. Reconstruction is estimated to require at least $53 billion, while an entire generation of children faces the risk of being lost after years of deprivation from education.

The “Yellow Line” Recedes as Control Expands

International media reports, including the BBC, revealed that occupation forces moved concrete blocks marking the so-called “yellow line” deeper into Gaza at several locations—an explicit breach of the ceasefire. Satellite imagery showed ground movements exceeding this line by hundreds of meters, resulting in casualties and imposing a new military reality within areas supposed to be covered by withdrawal.

Continued Killing and Expanding Violations

Between the rising numbers of martyrs, ongoing military escalation, and repeated UN warnings, it is clear that Gaza remains at the heart of the storm. The ceasefire—rather than serving as a gateway to de-escalation and humanitarian rescue—has become a new arena of