The Trump plan proposed at the end of September and which came into force on 10th October has now been effective for five weeks, but since the beginning of 'phase one', the definition of this as a ceasefire has been questioned: Israel has never completely stopped bombing the Strip, causing, according to data from the Gaza Media Office, the deaths of 242 people and injuries to 622. An analysis by Al Jazeera reports that, as of 11 November, there have only been six days without attacks on Gaza.
Since 10 October, the army has withdrawn behind the so-called yellow line, which divides the Strip into two parts: one in the west where Palestinians can stay, and the other, i.e. the remaining 53% of the territory, under Israeli control. This demarcation line was provided for in the agreement, and the area controlled by the IDF should be liberated in subsequent phases, but there is still no agreement on the modalities and timing. Furthermore, a BBC investigation using satellite images claims that the line has been moved further than expected, occupying 58% of the territory instead of 53% (Al Jazeera estimate). The same investigation revealed that since the day of the ceasefire, the IDF has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in the areas of Gaza under its control, apparently through demolition; the number of buildings demolished could be higher, as not all areas were covered by the investigation.
The army is stationed behind the line and shoots at civilians who approach it. On 14th October, it killed five Palestinians after trying to drive them away, according to the IDF. On the 18th, a tank attacked a bus, killing the eleven people travelling in it. According to the army, it was a suspicious vehicle that, despite warning shots, approached the troops, posing a threat to them. According to the Palestinian Civil Defence, however, it was a family travelling north to their home.
The two deadliest days were 19th and 29th October (during which 45 and 109 people died respectively), days on which Israeli Minister Netanyahu ordered 'powerful attacks' on Gaza City in response to the death of three IDF soldiers, for which the Jewish state blamed Hamas. The group denied responsibility, stating that the deaths occurred in an area still heavily controlled by Israeli troops.
Israel also accuses Hamas of another violation of the ceasefire: it is allegedly obstructing the return of the last bodies of Israeli hostages who died in the Strip (there are still three), with accusations of tampering with or falsifying the locations where the remains were found. Israel claims that filming has resumed, but the Palestinian Red Cross denies this, and foreign newspapers have not yet been able to verify what happened.
Al contempo, sono stati fatti entrare gli aiuti umanitari, ma in misura minore rispetto a quelli previsti e con resistenza da parte delle autorità israeliane. Una settimana fa l’organo delle Nazioni Unite OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) ha pubblicato un report sulla distribuzione degli aiuti:
- Si è consegnato cibo a più di 1 milione di persone
- Gli ospedali stanno trattando più pazienti possibile
- La distribuzione dell’acqua è stata ristabilita
- Si sono distribuiti dispositivi per l’inverno
- È stato fornito supporto psicologico
At the same time, humanitarian aid has been allowed in, but to a lesser extent than planned and with resistance from the Israeli authorities. A week ago, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published a report on the distribution of aid:
- Food has been delivered to more than 1 million people
- Hospitals are treating as many patients as possible
- Water distribution has been restored
- Winter devices have been distributed
- Psychological support has been provided
However, the same report states that operators face obstacles and insecurity for themselves as well, referring to a "fragile situation and constant impediments in the field".
Meanwhile, images and videos from Gaza are showing the heavy rains that are hitting the area, flooding tents and making the situation extremely difficult, which will not improve as winter progresses. The living conditions of displaced persons are unsustainable, with reports of a lack of tents suitable for withstanding the rain and of other shelter equipment. On Saturday, Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA said that it is cold and rainy in Gaza, and displaced persons are facing a harsh winter without the means to protect themselves. He added that the current tents flood quickly and there is an urgent need for emergency equipment for shelters, winter clothing and shoes.
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