The current situation in Gaza
Shaimaa Marwan is a journalist based in Gaza.
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Following the announcement of the end of the war in the Gaza Strip, residents did not feel that a new chapter had actually begun. The situation on the ground remains burdened by restrictions, fear, and a lack of life essentials, while the “post-war” phase appears to be a continuation of the same crisis, differing only in form.
Despite discussions regarding a de-escalation and humanitarian measures, daily reality reveals profound challenges.
These range from travel restrictions and obstacles to the entry of aid to ongoing military violations, leading to a collective psychological state dominated by anxiety over a new round of fighting.
The Rafah Crossing: Limited Opening and Thousands Stranded
The reopening of the Rafah Crossing after many months of closure provided a brief hope for Gazans, but it soon resulted in disappointment for many. Border movement has been restricted to a very limited number of travellers and returnees, according to narrow lists that do not reflect the actual scale of need.
On the Egyptian side, thousands of Palestinians remain stranded, including students and families who have been displaced since the outbreak of the war. Conversely, patients inside the Gaza Strip face increased suffering; many require urgent medical referrals outside Gaza, yet travel restrictions prevent their departure, directly threatening their lives.
On a personal level, my father, who has been diagnosed with cancer, continues to wait for a travel permit. This delay has become a critical threat to his life, occurring at a time when the capacity of local hospitals diminishes daily due to the shortage of medical capabilities and resources.
The Medication Crisis: The Siege Continues in Another Form
Despite discussions regarding humanitarian facilitations following the ceasefire, the shortage of medications-particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer-remains a daily crisis.
Although some shipments have been permitted to enter, deliveries are limited and irregular, while strict restrictions remain imposed on specific types of medical supplies.
This reality has forced many patients to reduce their dosages or rely on less effective alternatives, risking the deterioration of their health conditions. Furthermore, the lack of essential medical supplies places pressure on medical staff who are attempting to operate with nearly non-existent resources.
The restrictions are not limited to medications but also include essential goods and materials necessary for restoring normal life. This creates a conviction among the population that the blockade has not actually ended, but rather that its methods have changed.
Delayed Reconstruction: Caravans and Stranded Construction Materials
While tens of thousands of displaced individuals await a solution to their housing crisis, the reconstruction process remains significantly stalled.
The caravans promised to residents to provide temporary shelter have not entered at the required rate, while construction materials and debris-removal equipment face restrictions that prevent their arrival in sufficient quantities.
This delay forces many families to live in tents or partially destroyed buildings, amid difficult living conditions, especially with weather fluctuations. Meanwhile, starting a genuine reconstruction process requires the regular entry of heavy machinery and basic materials, which has not occurred to date.
Residents in the Gaza Strip observe that the reconstruction file has transitioned into a political tool rather than an urgent humanitarian response, prolonging the suffering of the population waiting to return to a normal life.
Fragile Ceasefire and Repeated Violations
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, residents of Gaza confirm that the sounds of shelling and gunfire have not completely ceased. Sporadic raids are recorded from time to time, reinforcing the perception that the war has not actually ended.
Furthermore, the existence of a ceasefire monitoring center located inside Israel, which includes military observers of various nationalities, has sparked widespread controversy. Residents believe that the center’s silence regarding certain violations represents a clear bias.
This reality creates a state of uncertainty, as the population lives between an official declaration of de-escalation and a different reality on the ground.
The Yellow Line: Continuous Displacement and Residents Barred from Returning
Residents of the areas located within what is known as the “Yellow Line” continue to face one of the most difficult consequences of the war.
The “Yellow Line” is a term referring to the area to which Israeli forces withdrew under the ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025.
Despite the agreement, Palestinians are prohibited from entering residential and agricultural areas located behind this line – a zone that constitutes approximately 58% of the Gaza Strip’s total area. Anyone approaching it faces the risk of direct targeting by the Israeli army.
Although it was originally a virtual line, the Israeli army has installed large yellow concrete blocks to define it on the ground, transforming it into a visible perimeter representing the positions of its forces during the first phase of the agreement.
This situation has kept thousands of families in a state of forced displacement, accompanied by a loss of stability and the absence of any real sense that the war has ended.
Collective Fear and Anticipation of a New Confrontation
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of the post-war phase is the general psychological state. Fear and anticipation dominate most of Gaza’s residents, especially following Israeli threats of a potential new military operation. Reports indicate that such an operation could target areas such as Deir al-Balah and al-Mawasi.
This environment forces residents to live in a constant state of preparedness for the worst-case scenario, even during periods of relative calm. Many individuals do not plan for the long-term future, focusing instead on daily survival.
In the streets, tents, and displacement centres, life appears to proceed with extreme caution. There is a partial resumption of activity, yet it is characterized by deep anxiety.
Despite the formal conclusion of military operations, Gaza remains in a difficult transitional phase where the de-escalation has not transitioned into actual stability.
Travel restrictions, shortages of medical supplies, the cessation of reconstruction, ongoing violations, and prolonged displacement are factors that render the post-war phase a continuation of the suffering caused by the war itself.
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