After nearly two years of relentless bombardment, Gaza stands in ruins — its skyline reduced to dust, its people to endurance. Israel’s genocidal military campaign, launched in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks, aimed to dismantle Hamas, destroy its military infrastructure, and secure the release of captives. Yet as the smoke clears, none of those objectives appear achieved through war.

Hamas remains present and politically intact, continuing to decide and negotiate the terms of the ceasefire. For many observers, that alone marks a victory for the Resistance group — a survival that defied Israel’s stated goals. At the same time, human rights organizations and international observers have condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, citing war crimes and collective punishment of civilians.

The current ceasefire, mediated by regional and international actors and proposed by US President Donald Trump, follows nearly two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas that has left tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruins.

While the latest truce has brought relative calm to the enclave, deep political and security challenges remain unresolved.