Gaza ceasefire is a ‘facade’ and war may return ‘perhaps even worse’
Lorenzo Kamel, a professor of international history at Italy’s University of Turin, highlighted a grim anniversary 77 years ago when Israeli forces began pushing out more than 100,000 Palestinians from the Negev Desert and into Gaza – doubling the number of refugees in the territory.
Operation Yoav began on October 15, 1948, and lasted for seven days. “This changed the demographic balance in Gaza for good,” Kamel told Al Jazeera.
On the current US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, Kamel described it as a “facade” with the main players only really agreeing on the captive-prisoner exchange.
“The main actors are there to enable the war to turn the page, but then we know the structural violence will remain there precisely as it was – and perhaps even worse,” he said.
US CENTCOM chief calls on Hamas to ‘suspend’ violence, embrace peace
US Admiral Brad Cooper has urged Hamas to “immediately suspend violence and shooting at innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza”, both in Hamas-controlled areas and behind the so-called yellow line where Israeli troops are stationed.
In a statement posted on X, Cooper said that this was a “historic opportunity for peace” as the ceasefire went into effect last week.
“Hamas should seize it by fully standing down, strictly adhering to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, and disarming without delay,” Cooper said.
“We have conveyed our concerns to the mediators who agreed to work with us to enforce the peace and protect innocent Gaza civilians. We remain highly optimistic for the future of peace in the region,” he added.
Israeli defence minister issues warning as troops fire on Palestinians
Israel Katz has issued what appears to be a warning to Palestinians attempting to return to their homes, saying that “any violation” of the Israeli military’s withdrawal line “will be met with an immediate response”.
Katz wrote on X that Israeli forces are acting “in accordance with the instructions” and enforcing “a clear policy of preparedness along the Yellow Line – which includes more than 50 percent of the territory of Gaza”.
He added, “Yesterday, terrorists who tried to approach and cross were thwarted – and this will continue to be the case in the future”.
The comments come as Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in Gaza have been shot and killed by Israeli troops despite the ceasefire.
The US is fully backing Israel breaking the ceasefire, it's a cruel joke this peace plan.
