Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders on Oct 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
Since then, Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas. Israeli forces have killed more than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.
Most of Gaza Strip has been devastated, with homes destroyed and basic institutions needed to sustain life – including water, sanitation and electricity – decimated. It has been difficult to get humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave as well.
If the truce is successful, it would also ease tensions in the Middle East where the conflict has spilled over to neighbouring Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, amid fears of a wider war with Iran.
Even so, analysts said the situation is fragile and there is “enormous risk” that conflict could resume, as deep hostility remains in the region.
“Gaza’s future is uncertain, (as is) the future of the Israel-Palestine conflict,” said Hashemi.
“There has to be a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, security and dignity. That issue is unresolved, and it doesn’t look like it will be resolved in the foreseeable future.”
