Front Burner The precarity of Gaza’s ceasefire
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Oct 20, 2025 William Christou, a freelance journalist based in Jerusalem for The Guardian, provides keen insights into the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He discusses the implications of recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the role of militias in escalating violence. Christou also explores the significant humanitarian impact of the Rafah crossing's closure. While detailing the mixed reactions from both Israelis and Palestinians, he highlights widespread anxiety in Gaza about a potential return to conflict despite fleeting hopes for peace.
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Ceasefire Faced Immediate Test
- The nine-day ceasefire faced its most serious test after reported attacks and Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza.
- What looked like active fighting exposed how fragile the truce remained on the ground.
Internal Factional Violence Complicates Truce
- Rival armed clans inside Gaza have clashed with Hamas and been publicly targeted during the ceasefire.
- Internal violence complicates any ceasefire because it introduces actors who may act independently of ceasefire agreements.
Ambiguous Attackers Increase Risk
- Multiple armed groups operate in Gaza, so an attack attributed to Hamas may actually come from another faction.
- This ambiguity makes attribution and responses risky during ceasefires.