‘Neither war nor peace’: Palestinians in Gaza on existing amid disease, despair and ruins

What Happened

On the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, Palestinians in Gaza described life among disease, despair, and ruins. The article reports that the subsequent Israeli offensive has killed 73,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and that despite a ceasefire a year ago, Israeli airstrikes continue. In recent days, Israeli attacks intensified: health officials reported at least two Palestinians killed on Tuesday, and Gaza medics said at least two more were killed in airstrikes in Beit Lahiya and Khan Younis on Wednesday. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted militants. The overall death toll has risen by a further 1,400 people in the last year. Residents such as Ahmed Ishtaiwi, a driver and mechanic living in a tent near Deir al-Balah, and Layan al-Jbour, 15, from Khan Younis now in al-Mawasi, described the loss of homes and routines; Saleh Kilani, 70, a farmer from Beit Lahiya, said he cannot return to his home or farm without risking death. Across Gaza, Palestinians face shortages of water and nourishing food, minimal healthcare, disease, unemployment, and economic collapse. Hamas has reimposed rudimentary administration over the 2.3 million Palestinians in the third of Gaza not controlled by the Israeli military, providing patchy education, some healthcare, and limited policing.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The situation, described as neither war nor peace, underscores the failure of the US-backed plan to end the war: there has been little progress toward disarming Hamas, withdrawing Israeli troops, or beginning reconstruction. The continued low-level violence and severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza keep the enclave unstable, leave 2.3 million Palestinians dependent on aid, and allow Hamas to retain de facto control over a portion of territory, prolonging the strategic standoff and complicating regional mediation.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israeli airstrikes continue or escalate, and whether casualty reports from Gaza health officials and medics are confirmed or contested by the Israeli military. Watch for any movement in US-led negotiations over Hamas disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal, and reconstruction funding. Track UN Security Council follow-up on humanitarian funding and Israeli restrictions on critical items, especially as cold weather approaches. Also observe whether Israeli authorities adjust the entry of trucks and supplies and whether these changes affect disease and malnutrition rates.