A Ceasefire Under Fire: The Costs of War and the Struggle for Peace

 Over $53B Needed to Rebuild Gaza — World Bank Joint Assessment

As the war in Gaza reaches its 502nd day, with the first phase of the 42-day ceasefire now in its 32nd day, the cost of reconstruction has been assessed at a staggering $53.2 billion. A joint report by the United Nations, European Union, and the World Bank highlights the immense scale of destruction left behind by Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with an estimated $20 billion needed in the first three years alone for immediate recovery and rebuilding.

Ceasefire Status: Fragile and Under Threat

Despite the ongoing truce, violence and violations persist. Hamas has proposed the complete release of Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from Gaza, rejecting demands for its disarmament and removal from the enclave. However, Israel continues to stall negotiations and commit ceasefire violations.

• Palestinian casualties in the past 24 hours: 4 killed, 11 injured, and 2 bodies recovered.

• Ceasefire violations by Israel: 16-year-old shot dead in Rafah, drone strikes, and shelling in northern Gaza.

• West Bank violence: Israeli forces (IOF) killed three Palestinian resistance fighters in Far’a refugee camp.

• Settler Expansion: Construction begins on 974 new Israeli settler homes near Bethlehem, isolating the southern West Bank further.

The ceasefire remains a tenuous reality, with Israel accused of over 266 violations, killing 132+ Palestinians since the pause began.

A War Crime Unfolding: Torture, Indictments, and Illegal Detentions

In another stark reminder of the brutality Palestinians endure, the Israeli military prosecution has filed indictments against five IOF soldiers for the assault and torture of a Palestinian captive at the Sde Teiman torture camp. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, accused of killing an Israeli soldier in 2023. Such punishments highlight Israel’s systematic criminalization of Palestinian resistance, even among minors.

At the same time, international scrutiny intensifies. Two IOF soldiers fled the Netherlands after a pro-Palestinian organization circulated their photos, accusing them of war crimes. Additionally, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has called for sanctions on Israeli officials and urged the European Union to suspend its Partnership Council discussions with Israel due to its war conduct.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe: Gaza's Water Crisis and Ongoing Displacement

The war’s devastation is far from over. The collapse of essential services in Gaza, particularly water and sanitation, has created a dire health emergency. Oxfam reports that:

• Only 7% of pre-war water levels are available in the hardest-hit areas.

• 700,000 displaced Palestinians in north Gaza have no access to water.

• In Rafah, 90% of wells and reservoirs are damaged, dropping water production to just 5% of pre-war capacity.

Aid organizations warn of a looming public health crisis as residents, including children, are forced to walk miles for a single jerrycan of water.

Diplomatic Developments: Resistance to US-Israeli Plans for Gaza

As Israel openly aligns with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of forcibly displacing Gaza’s population, Arab and international opposition is growing. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the occupation, stating that Gaza and the West Bank are "not bargaining chips in political trade-offs" and called for an immediate two-state solution.

In the Arab world, diplomatic efforts are underway to counter Israel’s and the U.S.’s post-war plans:

• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will travel to Saudi Arabia for discussions on an alternative post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza.

• An Arab League summit initially set for next week has been rescheduled to March 4.

• China has pledged humanitarian aid for 60,000 Palestinian families in Gaza.

Pakistan has also reaffirmed its stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians. At the United Nations Security Council, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called for a permanent ceasefire and stronger international mechanisms to regulate emerging challenges such as AI-driven warfare and financial inequalities.

A Chilling Message from Gaza: “They Were Killed by USA Bombs”

Hamas recently handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages in a symbolic message to the world. Displayed prominently on the handover stage in Khan Younis was a missile with the words “They Were Killed by USA Bombs.” This statement underscores the deep resentment towards Washington’s unrelenting military support for Israel, which has enabled the unprecedented destruction and loss of Palestinian lives.

A Grim Future: Reconstruction or Continued War?

As diplomatic maneuvering continues, one thing remains clear: Gaza’s reconstruction is an existential challenge. The World Bank’s assessment lays bare the overwhelming destruction, but without a permanent ceasefire and an end to occupation, rebuilding efforts risk being destroyed as quickly as they begin.

Israel’s continued violations of the truce, its expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and the ongoing strangulation of Palestinian life in Gaza make peace a distant hope. The international community faces a decisive moment—to hold Israel accountable or continue enabling its war crimes.

Final Analysis: The Urgent Need for Real Action

The world cannot afford to treat Gaza’s future as a political bargaining chip. As the ceasefire remains fragile, and Israel continues to dictate post-war terms that violate international law, global powers must move beyond statements of concern to tangible actions:

1. End Military Support for Israel: The U.S. and other allies must halt the flow of arms that sustain Israeli aggression.

2. Impose Sanctions: The EU and international bodies should enact real consequences for Israeli officials responsible for war crimes.

3. Demand Full Ceasefire Compliance: The 266+ ceasefire violations prove that Israel must be forced into genuine negotiations.

4. Immediate Humanitarian Intervention: The water crisis and infrastructural collapse require urgent international aid and reconstruction efforts.

5. Support Palestinian Sovereignty: Any post-war governance of Gaza must prioritize Palestinian self-determination, not Israeli or U.S. control.

History will judge whether the world allowed another generation of Palestinians to suffer under oppression or whether this war finally became the turning point for justice, peace, and freedom in Palestine.