This isn't a real ceasefire in Gaza – it's a holding pattern before war returns | Sanam Vakil

Israel's recent airstrikes in Gaza, which have claimed over 100 lives, reveal the fragility of this arrangement and how far it falls short of preventing renewed cycles of violence. The current ceasefire, facilitated by Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war, has shown itself to be a mere holding pattern before another conflict erupts.

The situation remains precarious because the plan lacks clear enforcement mechanisms, timelines, or credible verification processes. Without these safeguards, both Israel and Hamas are interpreting violations to suit their interests, fueling mistrust and limiting the possibility of compromise.

This is exemplified in the recent exchange between Israel and Gaza's militant group, Hamas, over an alleged breach by Hamas forces in Rafah. When allegations arose that a group of terrorists had fired rockets from within Israeli-occupied territory, they were swiftly shot down by Israeli fighter jets. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing power struggle for dominance within Hamas itself.

Furthermore, Gaza remains mired in crisis, with its infrastructure severely damaged and essential services dwindling under the strain of a two-year-long war. As aid convoys face restrictions, the population faces acute shortages of food, water, and medicine, while further instability threatens to undermine already tenuous gains made.

If we are to believe the statements from Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, JD Vance and Marco Rubio who all visited Israel recently, then it is clear that they genuinely want peace between Israel and Palestine. However, this has yet to be translated into tangible action.

The Trump administration's efforts to sustain the truce have been positive but insufficient, with too much reliance on verbal cues rather than concrete commitments or consequences for breaches of the ceasefire. Ultimately, without stronger enforcement mechanisms, accountability measures, or credible third-party oversight, this fragile arrangement will continue to crumble under any provocation.

In conclusion, we need more effective international involvement and commitment from regional actors to safeguard this fragile truce and foster meaningful reconciliation between Israel and Palestine.

its all so messed up u no how many ppl have 2 die in these airstrikes? over 100!!! its not like the ceasefire is gonna prevent nothin if ther'snt enuf peeps in charge 2 keep it on track, like, where r the checks n balances? the fact that ppl r fightin within Hamas 2 b in charge is crazy n Gaza's just sufferin with no aid gettin thru, its like they forgot ppl r dyin

I'm getting so worried about the kids in Gaza . I mean, can you imagine living in a place where there's not even enough food or water for your family? It's like something out of a war movie, but it's real life for them. We need to do more than just talk about peace - we need to take action and help these people get the aid they need .

And what really gets me is that all these big-name folks went to Israel recently and said they want peace, but where's the plan? What are they going to do to make it happen? We can't just rely on empty promises or verbal cues - we need concrete action and consequences for when people break the rules .

I wish more people in positions of power would put themselves in these kids' shoes and understand what they're going through. It's not just about politics - it's about human beings who deserve to live with dignity and respect . We need to get our priorities straight and start fighting for peace, not just for Israel or Palestine, but for the people who are suffering right now .

I don’t usually comment but... I feel so frustrated and helpless watching this situation unfold . It's like we're stuck in a never-ending cycle of violence and no one seems to be willing to take the necessary steps to break free from it . The idea that international actors are genuinely interested in peace, but can't seem to translate those intentions into concrete action, is just so demoralizing . I mean, what's the point of having a 20-point plan if it doesn't include actual enforcement mechanisms or consequences for breaking the ceasefire? It's like we're all just watching from the sidelines while the people of Gaza suffer .

And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that aid convoys are being restricted and people are still struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and medicine . I don't get why we can't just throw some resources at this problem and try to fix it for once . It's not rocket science, folks! We need to step up our game and take some real action to support the people of Gaza before another conflict erupts .

Ugh this whole thing is just so frustrating . The fact that they can't even stick to a ceasefire plan with clear enforcement mechanisms is just mind-boggling . I mean, what's the point of having a 20-point plan if it's just going to be ignored? And don't even get me started on the power struggle within Hamas - it's like they're more interested in fighting each other than actually working towards peace ‍.

And can we talk about Gaza for a second? The situation is just heartbreaking . The people there are already struggling to survive, and now you add war and infrastructure damage on top of that... it's just heartbreaking . And what's with the restrictions on aid convoys? It's like they're not even trying to help anymore .

I mean, I appreciate Jared Kushner and all the others who want peace, but what's the plan? Because from where I'm sitting, it just looks like a bunch of empty promises . We need more than just words - we need action . And if that means having some tough international involvement, then so be it .

I'm so worried about what's happening in Gaza . It feels like they're just waiting for another excuse to go back at each other. And it's not just the violence that's a problem, it's the lack of basic necessities like food, water, and medicine... I mean, how can you have peace when people are struggling to survive?

I don't get why these big politicians keep saying they want peace but nothing ever seems to change. It's like they're just talking out of both sides of their mouths. And what's with all the confusion about who did what in Rafah? It's like they can't even agree on what happened, let alone work towards a solution.

We need more help from other countries and organizations to keep this truce alive. It's not fair that these two groups have to deal with so much on their own. Can't someone else just step in and make sure everyone is following the rules?

the thing is ...i feel like we're stuck in this never-ending cycle of violence & it's all so frustrating . i mean, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that there are people like jared kushner et al who genuinely want peace, but what's the actual plan to make it happen? ...i think we need a more robust framework for enforcement & accountability, like a neutral third party or something, to keep everyone on their toes . and let's be real, gaza is literally dying over here , so some action needs to be taken ASAP . can't just rely on verbal cues & expect everything to magically work out ...we need concrete steps towards a sustainable peace!