The current “cease-fire” in Gaza was sold to the world as the beginning of a long-term peace process that would stabilize the region, foster reconstruction, and provide a solution to generations of bloody fighting. Israel accepted the framework, but somehow, dead civilians after military strikes are still commonplace.
On Feb. 4, Israeli strikes killed at least 19 to 24 Palestinians in Gaza, with reports noting a majority of women and children among the dead. Israel claims Hamas had violated the deal. These attacks are not a weird exception to the cease-fire. They are the operating reality Gazans live, and die, under. There are media reports that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, which classifies this “cease-fire” as diplomatic cover for the continued murder of the defenseless.
Among the Palestinians killed were five children, including a 5-month-old and a baby just 10 days old; seven women; and a paramedic, said hospital officials. They are the latest Palestinians in Gaza to die since a ceasefire deal, which has been punctuated by deadly Israeli strikes, came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025. More than 530 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli in that time, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The escalating Palestinian death toll has rocked the U.S.-backed truce and caused Palestinians in the strip to say it does not feel like the war has ended.
“The genocidal war against our people in the Gaza Strip continues,” said Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, in a Facebook post. “Where is the ceasefire? Where are the mediators?”
Reports that Trump is attempting to sell seats on his “Board of Peace” while the slaughter continues are, sadly, what the world has come to expect.