Gaza’s fragile calm is fraying as residents wait for the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has yet to begin nearly two months after the truce was announced. The next stage is expected to include the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the return of displaced families and limited restoration of normal life. But continued military activity and shifting political conditions have deepened anxiety among civilians living along Gaza’s “yellow line”.
Residents told The National they fear the deal may collapse entirely, especially after new Israeli statements linking progress to Hamas’s disarmament. Families displaced from destroyed homes say the uncertainty is unbearable, with many unable to return or rebuild until Israeli forces pull back further.
