By Lara Kajs
Thinking Out Loud
After a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, violations on both sides led to renewed conflict, highlighting the fragility of humanitarian agreements and the urgent need for civilian protection.
After eighteen months of intense bombardments and airstrikes, Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire beginning 19 January 2025. The truce temporarily allowed hundreds of aid trucks to deliver essential supplies to Gaza’s two million residents, providing critical support in an effort to avert famine. Despite this, the blockade remained in place, economic and humanitarian conditions continued to deteriorate, and repeated violations on both sides quickly led to a collapse of the ceasefire.
Even with a temporary truce, Gaza’s civilians remain trapped between bombs, blockades, and the looming threat of annexation. Humanitarian aid can only do so much—peace, accountability, and international law are the true lifelines.”
Humanitarian Consequences
Civilians in Gaza face ongoing violence, trauma, and displacement. Essential infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, and utilities—has been damaged or destroyed, creating widespread hardship. Access to food, clean water, and medical care remains severely constrained, while malnutrition, disease, and psychological trauma affect thousands of children and families.
The United Nations and international agencies have condemned the renewed violence and urged accountability. The World Health Organization warns that a failed ceasefire risks outbreaks of infectious disease, including cholera, and could exacerbate malnutrition among vulnerable populations.
Security Dynamics
The breakdown of the ceasefire has intensified military operations. Israel completed the construction of the Morag security corridor, isolating the southern city of Rafah. While aimed at exerting pressure on Hamas, these measures risk further destabilizing the region and prolonging hostilities.
Protests within Gaza reflect local discontent toward Hamas leadership, particularly regarding the handling of hostages. In Israel, debates over military conduct emerged, highlighted by reservists calling for a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations, underscoring the societal costs of the conflict.
Regional Diplomacy
International actors, including Egypt and Qatar, have sought to mediate between Israel and Hamas. Yet distrust, geopolitical tensions, and shifting alliances have made sustained agreements difficult. Previous ceasefire efforts have faltered, and the breakdown of the latest truce demonstrates the challenges of enforcing humanitarian pauses in protracted conflicts.
Israel: Threat of Annexation
Historically, Israel has maintained a policy of controlling Gaza indirectly, particularly following the 2005 disengagement when Israel unilaterally withdrew its settlers and military from the territory. Since then, Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has ruled Gaza, leading to repeated violent clashes with Israel. The region’s security situation has been defined by a cycle of military escalations, ceasefires, and border blockades, with little to no progress toward a political solution.
Recently, Israeli officials have discussed the possibility of annexing Gaza, framing it as a way to address security threats and secure borders. In early 2025, former President Donald Trump publicly floated a related, highly controversial proposal, suggesting that the US should “take over” Gaza, displace its Palestinian residents, and transform the area into a luxury resort. The plan called for relocating Gaza’s two million residents to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan.
The proposal was met with widespread condemnation from international leaders, human rights organizations, and regional partners. Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Authority rejected the idea as a violation of Palestinian rights and a threat to regional stability. European powers, including France, Germany, and the UK, criticized the plan as inconsistent with international law and incompatible with a two-state solution. Many observers also noted the plan’s implausibility and impracticality, with some outlets publicly mocking it for its audacity.
While the Trump proposal never gained traction, the discussion underscores the risks and international scrutiny surrounding any attempts at annexation. Forced displacement of Palestinians, whether by Israeli policy or external proposals, would constitute a grave violation of international law and could escalate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Legal Concerns
Gaza is already marked by extreme poverty, unemployment, and collapsed infrastructure. Years of blockade and intermittent conflict have left much of the region in ruins, with limited access to electricity, clean water, and healthcare. Annexation would not guarantee improvements and could intensify the crisis if the blockade continues or reconstruction remains stalled.
Additionally, annexation could place Gaza’s residents under Israeli law without granting full citizenship or political rights, reinforcing accusations of apartheid and prompting intense international scrutiny.
The Bottom Line
The failed ceasefire illustrates the fragility of temporary truces and the human cost of prolonged conflict. While international diplomacy continues, including efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and other regional actors, the humanitarian crisis remains severe. Any discussion of annexation, displacement, or external interventions carries profound legal, moral, and strategic consequences.
The situation in Gaza is a stark reminder that human suffering and political ambition are intertwined, and that true resolution requires both protection for civilians and adherence to international law.
Published 15 April 2025
Photo Credit: “A girl walks inside Gaza during the Gaza-Israel war to get food” by Jaber Jehad Badwan. Licensed under CC BY SA 4.0
About Thinking Out Loud
Thinking Out Loud is a commentary series by Lara Kajs examining international law, humanitarian crises, and the prevention of mass atrocities. Drawing on field experience in conflict and displacement settings, the column explores the legal and policy challenges that shape contemporary conflicts
About the Author
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report, a Washington, DC-based educational nonprofit focused on atrocity prevention and international law. She is the author of several field-based books on conflict, displacement, humanitarian crises, and international humanitarian law, drawing on extensive research and field experience in Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. Her writing and public speaking focus on atrocity crimes, forced displacement, the protection of civilians, and the legal frameworks governing armed conflict.