Ceasefire Disputes Threaten to Dismantle Deal as Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah Clash
Gaza, Sunday – The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah is on the brink of collapse as disagreements over key details escalate. The tension marks a significant setback, less than a week after the release of 100 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.
Matters took a turn for the worse when Israeli forces blocked the return of thousands of Palestinians to northern Gaza, citing changes to the order of hostage releases. In response, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) troops fired warning shots to disperse groups of suspects who were approaching the troops in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed concerns over the situation, calling on Israeli forces to avoid firing at civilians in Lebanese territory. The organization warned that further violence could undermine the fragile security situation and prospects for stability in the region.
The disputes come just days after US President Donald Trump called on Egypt and Jordan to accept refugees from Gaza, saying it would "clean out" the region. Trump also praised Jordan for accepting Palestinian refugees, but urged the king to take on more, dubbing the Gaza Strip a "mess."
The developments cast a dark cloud over the already-prone region, threatening to scupper efforts to restore peace. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the road to peace remains fraught with uncertainty and danger.