Ceasefire in Name Only: Israel Accused of Systemic Violations and Expanding Occupation in Gaza and West Bank
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Despite a ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas, Israel stands accused of continuing attacks and escalating its occupation of Palestinian territories, leading to a staggering loss of life and widespread devastation. The escalating conflict, marked by alleged violations of the October 10 agreement, has plunged both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank into a deepening humanitarian and political crisis.
Gaza Strip: A Ceasefire Shattered and a Rising Death Toll
The fragile truce brokered between Hamas and Israel on October 10 – intended to facilitate the exchange of captives and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal – appears to have been systematically undermined. According to reports from the Gaza Strip’s Ministry of Health, Israel has violated the ceasefire a staggering 738 times between October 10 and December 12, with 358 instances involving airstrikes and ground attacks. These violations have resulted in the deaths of at least 383 Gaza residents and injuries to over 1,002 others during that period.
As of December 19, the confirmed death toll in the Gaza Strip reached 70,667, with an additional 171,151 injured. However, officials fear the true number is significantly higher, as countless bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble of bombed-out buildings. Analysis suggests that over 200,000 Gazans – roughly 10% of the pre-war population of 2.3 million – may have perished.
The impact on children is particularly harrowing. The number of child deaths in the Gaza Strip is, according to official statistics, the highest relative to the population seen in any conflict since World War II.
The Israeli military maintains its attacks are justified, claiming they target Hamas leadership and that civilian casualties are an unavoidable consequence. However, military intelligence data reportedly indicates that 83% of those killed in Israeli attacks are civilians. This discrepancy fuels accusations of disproportionate force and deliberate targeting of non-combatants.
Beyond the immediate casualties, Israel’s military actions are demonstrably altering the territorial landscape. The country currently occupies approximately 58% of the Gaza Strip, exceeding the 53% stipulated in the original agreement. The Israeli military is actively expanding its control, unilaterally establishing a “yellow line” to demarcate its claimed border and repeatedly redrawing it to encompass more territory. The United Nations reports that the majority of casualties since the agreement have occurred in the vicinity of this contested “yellow line,” where Israeli forces are accused of indiscriminately attacking civilians.
The attacks are not confined to specific areas like Rafah or the coast, but are occurring throughout the Gaza Strip. Israel continues to maintain a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, even preventing returning residents from re-entering their homes. UN estimates reveal that 92% of residential buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged, with 81% either destroyed or severely damaged. The resulting debris now totals 61 million tons, covering an area roughly the size of Sejong City in Korea.
Beyond direct casualties, deaths are occurring due to malnutrition, injuries sustained while living in refugee camps, and disaster-related damage. These indirect consequences are increasingly viewed as an extension of the Israeli military’s actions.
In stark contrast to the alleged brutality of the Israeli military, Hamas has demonstrated efforts to uphold the terms of the agreement. One official stated that Hamas acknowledged the difficulty in locating bodies buried under rubble and requested time, ultimately fulfilling its commitment by recovering the final body slated for repatriation to Israel.
West Bank: A Parallel Campaign of Violence and Settlement Expansion
The violence and alleged violations of international law are not limited to the Gaza Strip. Israel’s actions in the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority, are also drawing condemnation.
The Islamic Council of Elders recently condemned the Israeli military’s approval of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, as reported by the Wafa news agency. Following the start of the war against Hamas, Israeli military and police forces have reportedly demolished homes belonging to West Bank residents, subsequently constructing Israeli settlements on the cleared land.
While Israel justifies this activity as part of “counter-terrorism operations,” it is widely considered a criminal act violating international law. This expansionist policy has inevitably led to clashes between West Bank and Israeli residents, resulting in the arrest of over 9,000 Palestinians as of December 19.
Israeli military and police have opened fire on civilians protesting settlement construction, with estimates suggesting over 250 West Bank civilians will die from Israeli military firing in 2025 alone. Disturbingly, reports have emerged of the Israeli military summarily executing two unarmed Palestinian men who indicated their intention to surrender.
A pattern of double standards is also alleged, with Israeli forces reportedly ignoring or leniently punishing Israeli settlers while aggressively targeting West Bank residents. The Netanyahu regime has further inflamed tensions by designating West Bank residents as “terrorists.” However, critics argue that, given their actions, the “real terrorists” are the Netanyahu regime and the Israeli military and police themselves.
The situation in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank paints a grim picture of escalating violence, alleged ceasefire violations, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The future remains uncertain as the conflict continues to unfold, with the potential for further devastation and instability.
