Israel bombs Gaza after ceasefire and far right threatens agreement

Israel intensified bombings in the Gaza Strip hours after the announcement of a ceasefire between the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian group Hamas. According to local authorities, at least 77 Palestinians died in the attacks, including 21 children and 25 women, in what became the deadliest day in recent weeks.

The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, was announced as a diplomatic milestone after 15 months of conflict that resulted in more than 46,000 deaths in the Palestinian enclave, according to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health. Despite this, violence persists, and internal political disputes in Israel put the agreement in question.

Announced on Wednesday night (15), the agreement provides for an initial 42-day truce, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and an increase in the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Implementation should begin on Sunday (19), with the release of 33 hostages, including women, children and the elderly.

This Thursday morning (16), however, Netanyahu stated that Hamas “did not accept all elements of the agreement”, postponing the vote by the Israeli security cabinet. The Palestinian organization denies and guarantees that it is committed to the terms established in the mediation.

In Gaza, the population faced another night of intense bombing. Mahmoud Basal, a Civil Defense spokesman, described the situation as “catastrophic”, with families buried under the rubble and rescue teams facing difficulties accessing destroyed areas.

Political tensions in Israel

The ceasefire triggered an internal crisis in the far-right coalition that supports Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Bezalel Smotrich, finance minister and leader of the Religious Zionism Party, threatened to leave the government if the military offensive is not resumed after the first phase of the agreement. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security, also expressed support for the rupture.

With a minimum parliamentary majority of 61 seats, Netanyahu’s government depends on the support of these ultra-right parties to survive. The possible departure of these parties threatens to deepen political instability in the country.

Despite resistance within the cabinet, polls show that the majority of the Israeli population supports the agreement, even considering the release of Palestinian prisoners convicted of fatal attacks on civilians. Netanyahu faces the challenge of balancing the domestic demands of his political base with the conditions set by international mediators in the treaty.

Reconstruction and uncertainties

In Gaza, where more than 70% of the victims of the conflict are women and children, according to the UN, the expectation for the end of hostilities is accompanied by apprehension. “Even if the truce happens, we don’t know how we will rebuild our lives,” said Suzanne Abu Daqqa, a resident of Khan Younis, describing the scene of complete destruction.

The agreement foresees, in later phases, the reconstruction of the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip under the supervision of Qatar, Egypt and the United Nations, in addition to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. However, analysts warn that the weaknesses of the ceasefire and resistance from the Israeli far right could lead to a resumption of fighting.

With a ceasefire not yet implemented and violence escalating, hope for a lasting end to the conflict appears increasingly uncertain.