The first phase of the ceasefire ended last week, and Israel has since imposed a total blockade on all goods entering the enclave, demanding that Hamas free remaining hostages without beginning the negotiations to end the Gaza war.
Fighting has been halted since Jan 19 and Hamas has released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israeli authorities believe fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are still alive.
Israel’s assault on the enclave has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. It has also internally displaced nearly Gaza‘s entire population and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.
The assault began after Hamas-led militant fighters raided southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
