Gaza: The fragile ceasefire in Gaza, implemented on January 19, has collapsed, leading to a resurgence of violent conflict in the region. On March 18, Israel ended the ceasefire, resuming its military operations in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 600 Palestinians within just four days.
According to Anadolu Agency, the ceasefire’s breakdown has had dire consequences for the 2.2 million people living in Gaza. Israeli authorities imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid as early as March 2, worsening the situation. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, during a briefing to the UN Security Council, highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis, stating, “food is rotting and medicines are expiring,” and warned that essential survival resources are now being rationed.
Hamas, which had expressed a desire to move to the second phase of the ceasefire on March 1, found itself at odds with Israel, which preferred to extend the first phase. The second phase would have involved Hamas handing over remaining Israeli captives, but with the ceasefire’s collapse, those plans were thwarted. Amidst the conflict, Hamas is considering US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s ‘Bridge Proposal,’ which seeks to extend the ceasefire to allow negotiations for a permanent peace agreement.
The resumption of hostilities in Gaza coincides with a shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. His administration’s removal of pressure on Israel allowed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue military operations against Gaza, a move previously constrained by the outgoing Biden administration. Trump’s rhetoric about a ‘clean out’ of Gaza and transforming it into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ has emboldened Israel’s most aggressive elements.
Netanyahu’s decision to restart the war on Gaza also appears to be influenced by domestic political considerations, including stabilizing his coalition and addressing his legal challenges. The war’s resumption saw the return of former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the coalition, and Netanyahu’s corruption trial testimony was postponed due to ‘security developments.’
For President Trump, this escalation in Gaza, alongside other regional conflicts, poses a challenge to his campaign promises of reducing the US military footprint in the Middle East. As he navigates these complexities, the impact on his support base remains uncertain.