Life for civilians in Gaza remains perilously unstable, with recent severe winter weather and flooding claiming lives, even as a US-brokered ceasefire with Israel enters a contentious second phase.
Trump's Ultimatum and the Path to Demilitarisation
Former US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Hamas, issuing a stark new demand for the group's complete disarmament. In a late-night social media post on Thursday, Trump vowed to push for the "comprehensive demilitarisation" of the militant organisation, warning it could be done "the easy way, or the hard way."
He simultaneously called for the return of the remains of the final Israeli captive believed to be held by Hamas. This demand sharpens tensions at a delicate moment in the truce process, with key elements from the first phase still unfulfilled.
The disarmament of Hamas stands as one of the most disputed points in this second stage, alongside Israeli military withdrawal and a significant easing of aid restrictions. Hamas has so far refused to relinquish its weapons. Trump's proposed plan, backed by Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, involves stripping the group of its heavy arms and dismantling its tunnel network. For smaller arms, a US-funded "buy-back" programme is under consideration.
A 'Board of Peace' and a Daunting Reconstruction
The ceasefire's focus has now shifted from halting hostilities to establishing transitional governance, demilitarisation, and the monumental task of reconstruction. Trump announced he will chair a "board of peace" to oversee Gaza's recovery. This board is expected to include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, alongside Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with ex-UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov in a key operational role.
They will supervise a 15-member Palestinian committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath. This body is intended to be apolitical, staffed by technocrats.
The scale of the challenge is staggering. The United Nations states Israel's war has created a "human-made abyss" and that rebuilding may exceed $70bn (£53bn) over decades. Following a visit, UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva reported "the level of destruction is overwhelming," with over 60 million tonnes of rubble littering the territory. Clearing this debris alone could take more than seven years.
Ceasefire Violence and a Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Despite the truce, violence has not ceased. On Thursday, medical sources at al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital reported six Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes. At least 451 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began in October last year.
The humanitarian situation is dire and compounded by harsh weather. Recent storms have caused deaths and flooding in overcrowded displacement camps. Strong winds collapsed walls onto flimsy tents on Tuesday, killing at least four people. UNICEF revealed on Tuesday that 100 children have died since the October ceasefire began, including six from hypothermia.
As diplomatic efforts escalate to manage Gaza's future, the immediate reality for its inhabitants is one of continued danger, devastation, and a desperate struggle for survival amidst the ruins.
