The war on Gaza enters its second year amid the expansion of Israeli military operations on the northern front

The war on Gaza is entering its second year amidst the expansion of Israeli military operations on the northern front of occupied Palestine, where the conflict with the Lebanese Hezbollah movement is witnessing a significant escalation. As confrontations intensify on both fronts, the situation in Lebanon remains different from Gaza. As a sovereign state, Lebanon has a relative ability to provide food and health care to those displaced from conflict zones, while the residents of Gaza, especially in the north, face a stifling blockade and harsh humanitarian conditions, as they are subjected to the most extreme forms of pressure through killing and arrest, while the international community stands helpless in the face of this escalation, which is justified by the fight against terrorism.

In the context of these pressures, Israel is adopting the generals’ plan that aims to evacuate northern Gaza of its original inhabitants, giving them a deadline to leave, considering those who remain in these areas after the deadline as “enemy combatants” and a legitimate target for targeting in the event of non-surrender. This step is accompanied by the imposition of a siege aimed at starving the population and depriving them of water and medical supplies, while the displaced population is transferred to areas that are supposed to be “safe,” with the provision of basic services, according to the claims of the occupation army. However, the Palestinians express doubts about the credibility and effectiveness of these areas, given the previous military targeting they have witnessed.

In these actions, the Israeli army ignores the Geneva Convention, which confirms that giving civilians a warning to flee does not strip them of their protection under international law.

In the context of the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas movement in Gaza, who played a pivotal role in managing the movement’s policies. This event raised widespread interest regarding its implications for the dynamics of the conflict and Hamas’s capabilities. Sinwar’s martyrdom may lead to temporary confusion within Hamas and a temporary weakening of its military structure, but the movement quickly reorganized its ranks and resumed its military operations in the areas that Israel declared to be cleansed.

Although Sinwar’s death may raise questions about the possibility of ending the conflict, current indications do not support this possibility in the near term. The killing of leaders often leads to strong reactions from Palestinian factions, and Hamas and other resistance factions may be targeted for retaliatory attacks, further complicating the situation and making the chances of a ceasefire more remote.

Despite the expected escalation, some regional and international parties may seek to play a role in mediating a ceasefire, especially with the increasing international pressure to stop the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Countries such as Egypt and Qatar remain in an effective position in this context, as they previously played key roles in managing the conflicts between Israel and Hamas.

The people of Gaza continue to face major challenges as a result of the military escalation and the prolonged blockade. With the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, questions arise about the future of the conflict and the possibility of achieving a calm, amidst conflicting analyses of the possibility of increased escalation or the emergence of diplomatic efforts to consolidate a ceasefire. The situation requires serious international action to protect civilians, alleviate their suffering, and give them a chance for peace and stability within a vision that guarantees a sovereign Palestinian state.