Israel's fragile ceasefire in Gaza is increasingly taking on a permanent form, as the Israeli military starts installing yellow concrete markers every 200 meters along the "temporary" border. The line divides Gaza roughly in half, with Hamas seeking to reassert its control over the western part and the IDF reinforcing military outposts in the eastern strip.
For Palestinians living near the line, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Many are unable to return home due to the ongoing violence and bombardment, leaving them stuck in a state of limbo. The yellow markers are seen by many as a "new border" that could become permanent, effectively partitioning Gaza and isolating its population.
The truce was brokered by the US, but it remains incredibly vague, with no clear sequence or sense of how one goal might follow another. As a result, different actors are vying to interpret and influence what comes next, which has led to concerns that anything temporary in occupied Palestinian territory could quickly become permanent.
Humanitarian groups warn that at least half of Gaza's population is unable to return home or even think about rebuilding due to the ongoing violence and destruction. The hopes aroused by the ceasefire are fading fast, replaced by fears of a new era of occupation and control.
For Abu Mandeel, a 58-year-old father of nine who lost his home to Israeli forces, the situation is desperate. He says that each time he tries to return to his home in eastern Khan Younis, which is now on the "wrong" side of the yellow line, he sees new destruction and bombardment. He fears that the army now intends to establish new borders that Palestinians will never be allowed to cross again.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, many are left wondering what the future holds for Gaza. Will the ceasefire hold, or will it become a permanent fixture in the lives of its residents? Only time will tell.
For Palestinians living near the line, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Many are unable to return home due to the ongoing violence and bombardment, leaving them stuck in a state of limbo. The yellow markers are seen by many as a "new border" that could become permanent, effectively partitioning Gaza and isolating its population.
The truce was brokered by the US, but it remains incredibly vague, with no clear sequence or sense of how one goal might follow another. As a result, different actors are vying to interpret and influence what comes next, which has led to concerns that anything temporary in occupied Palestinian territory could quickly become permanent.
Humanitarian groups warn that at least half of Gaza's population is unable to return home or even think about rebuilding due to the ongoing violence and destruction. The hopes aroused by the ceasefire are fading fast, replaced by fears of a new era of occupation and control.
For Abu Mandeel, a 58-year-old father of nine who lost his home to Israeli forces, the situation is desperate. He says that each time he tries to return to his home in eastern Khan Younis, which is now on the "wrong" side of the yellow line, he sees new destruction and bombardment. He fears that the army now intends to establish new borders that Palestinians will never be allowed to cross again.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, many are left wondering what the future holds for Gaza. Will the ceasefire hold, or will it become a permanent fixture in the lives of its residents? Only time will tell.