On September 27, a ray of hope appeared—a chance that could save lives and bring some light to a world filled with darkness—a rare moment of relief in a region too familiar with pain. 

The news arrived—Israel and Lebanon, after 14 months of relentless conflict, had agreed to a ceasefire. Brokered by France and the USA, the agreement seemed like a delicate bridge toward peace.

For a moment, people in both nations dared to hope they might finally witness the dawn of peace and tranquillity in their lands.

But that hope was short-lived.

It was when Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the world, announcing the ceasefire and assuring the people of Israel and Lebanon that peace was within reach, the skies darkened with betrayal. Without warning, Israeli forces launched a devastating assault on Lebanon. 

It was calculated, deliberate, and merciless. They knew this would be their last chance—after the ceasefire took effect, there would be no more strikes, no more retaliation. And so, they unleashed everything they had, determined to inflict as much destruction as possible in those final moments.

The airstrikes were fierce, which took the lives of many and wounded hundreds. Lebanon bled once again, and its people were left to mourn, not just the dead but the cruel betrayal of a promise that had seemed so close. 

What was the agreement between the two?

On November 27, 2024, a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was put into effect, a tentative step toward ending over 14 months of relentless conflict. This agreement, brokered by the United States and France, aimed to halt the violence and offer a glimmer of peace to a region battered by war.

Under this agreement, Hezbollah was required to withdraw its fighters north of the Litani River, around 40 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border. In turn, Israeli forces were to slowly move back to their area south of the Blue Line.

All this will be done under an international monitoring group led by the U.S., which was tasked with overseeing compliance and ensuring neither side violated the terms.

However, the ceasefire had a condition that later caused problems—Israel was allowed to use military force if Hezbollah broke the agreement or posed a direct threat. And that’s where Israel’s army took full advantage of this and continues to do so even today.

Since the ceasefire began, the Israeli army has broken it more than 2 dozen times, causing many deaths and injuries. In their most recent attack on December 2, they violated the ceasefire again, killing 11 innocent civilians.

How did Israel shatter it completely?

Just one day after the ceasefire took effect, Israel launched a sudden and devastating assault on Lebanon. The reason? An allegation that Hezbollah had violated the agreement. 

Israeli intelligence claimed to have observed suspicious activity—movement near the no-go zone, alleged violations of the ceasefire terms, and potential threats to their security. According to Israeli officials, these actions justified an immediate military response.

In response, Hezbollah commanders stated that even after the agreement, the Israeli army had stationed planes at a Lebanese airbase and was preparing to launch strikes from there.

They added that Israel is carrying out everything under the supervision of the UN and US monitoring groups, but Israel never faces any consequences. However, if Lebanon makes any mistake, they are attacked.

However, the Israeli strikes continue without stopping. The skies over Lebanon erupted with fire as Israeli jets carried out relentless airstrikes. Homes crumbled under the weight of bombs, schools were reduced to rubble, and hospitals—already overwhelmed by months of war.

Lebanon, Already on its Knees, Bled Once More

These attacks were not just a violation of the ceasefire—it was a message. Israel’s actions spoke louder than any diplomatic statement: We do not trust peace, and we will not hesitate to destroy it if we feel threatened. The ceasefire, which had promised relief from violence, became a harsh reminder of how delicate peace is in this region.

Even the UN peacekeepers, who symbolize international help and hope, found themselves helpless, unable to do anything. Their mission to maintain peace had turned into a desperate attempt to survive the chaos unleashed upon them. The volunteers who had come to monitor and protect were now witnesses to the destruction they had hoped to prevent.

The delegation from Palestine is now looking at the possibility of a meeting in Cairo, where Palestinian leaders and Hamas representatives might discuss a strategy for a ceasefire in Palestine. The meeting is set to take place in Cairo, and they hope to find a way to implement a truce in Palestine.

The world knows that such meetings have happened many times before and have failed, so now we wait to see what will come of this one and what the next steps will be. 

However, on the same day as the December 2 meeting, Israel carried out an airstrike on Gaza’s crowded market while people were just starting to gather for a meal. The airstrikes continued throughout the day, forcing many people to flee and displace them once again.

On October 7, 2023, the genocide that began in Gaza extended its reach nearly 160 miles further. A genocide that has continued unabated for more than 420 days shows no signs of ending, and now, its shadow looms ominously over Lebanon.

Lebanon, Israel’s southern neighbor, is home to over 400,000 Palestinian refugees and is on target with Israel. According to Israeli claims, bombing from the northern side has triggered retaliation. Hence, on September 18, Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon. 

The airstrikes continue to date, which already killed 2,000 innocent civilians, wounded over 10,000, and displaced more than half of the population. Yet the question remains: If the attacks were focused on the border, why is Israel targeting innocent people in Beirut, the capital?

It appears that Israel’s intention is not just retaliation but a broader agenda—to erase Lebanon, just as it seeks to erase Gaza. However, Israel justifies its airstrikes on Beirut by claiming that Hamas commanders are allegedly hiding within the city.

The Hardship of Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the poorest countries in the world, where three out of four people live below the poverty line. Struggling with limited resources, a collapsing healthcare system, and meager incomes, the nation was already on the brink of disaster even before the war intensified.

The economic crisis has further crippled the government, leaving it unable to generate revenue or gather the resources necessary to provide adequate healthcare services. As a result, countless civilians wounded in the conflict are left without proper treatment, leading many to succumb to preventable deaths. Trapped between the relentless devastation of war and the collapse of their healthcare system, the suffering of Lebanon’s people knows no bounds.

To make matters worse, Israel’s unrelenting attacks have exacerbated the crisis, bringing a level of destruction that feels nothing short of apocalyptic for the already struggling civilians.

Lebanon, with a population of 5.2 million, is home to 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 400,000 Palestinians—communities that sought safety after being displaced from their own countries. Now, these refugees, along with the Lebanese population, face unimaginable hardships as they are once again forced to flee their homes, their hopes of safety shattered.

The Current Situation of Lebanon

Lebanon is currently enduring one of the most harrowing crises in its history, fueled by the ongoing conflict with Israel. The relentless violence has led to countless innocent lives lost, widespread displacement, and an overwhelming need for humanitarian aid that remains unmet.

For civilians, each day feels like living on the edge of death. Having witnessed the devastation in Gaza, fear grips the hearts of the Lebanese people, wondering if they, too, are destined to face the same horrors. Tragically, those fears are already becoming a reality. Without warning, Israeli forces reduce entire buildings to rubble, leaving neighborhoods unrecognizable. Families watch in horror as their homes, loved ones, and memories are swallowed by the earth before their very eyes.

The country lacks the infrastructure to cope with such devastation. Desperate civilians scramble for aid, only to find scarcity at every turn. The soaring costs of basic necessities due to the war have plunged families into deeper despair, with many now succumbing to hunger. Children cry from empty stomachs, parents sacrifice meals to keep their little ones alive, and the haunting shadow of starvation grows darker each day.

This crisis is not just a war on borders but a war on humanity. The people of Lebanon, already burdened by poverty and displacement, are now fighting for survival against a storm of destruction that leaves no room for hope. The world cannot afford to look away, for each passing moment brings another life to the brink of ruin.

The Role of the USA in Lebanon Conflicts

The United States plays a pivotal yet complex role in the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict, with its actions deeply influencing the trajectory of the war. By providing significant military aid—$3.8 billion annually and an additional $14 billion during this crisis—the U.S. ensures Israel’s defense and supports its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah. Diplomatically, the Biden administration has transitioned from advocating for peace to endorsing efforts to weaken Hezbollah, aiming to bolster Israel’s security.

However, this approach comes at a heavy cost. The conflict’s humanitarian toll in Lebanon grows dire, with civilians caught in relentless violence and scarce resources. While the U.S. expresses intentions for a sustainable resolution, including enforcing U.N. Resolution 1701, its influence over Israeli actions has diminished. Escalating tensions threaten to ignite broader regional conflict, risking more lives and destabilizing an already fragile Middle East.

As the U.S. balances military support with diplomatic efforts, the global community must not stand idle. Countries worldwide must step forward, demanding an immediate ceasefire and aiding those suffering. Together, the international community holds the power to stop this cycle of destruction and restore hope to the millions yearning for peace and safety. The time to act is now.

The war no one sees is casting an unrelenting shadow over Gaza, and the suffering of its people is intensifying by the hour.

With Israel ramping up its military operations, Gaza has tragically become the epicenter of what many are calling an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, a “genocide in plain sight.” Calls for a ceasefire have gone unheard as the conflict escalates, spilling over into Lebanon and deepening the crisis.

As the death toll surpasses 41,000, and with each passing day bringing new waves of destruction, Gaza’s civilians are trapped in a relentless cycle of terror and uncertainty.

Families huddle together in homes reduced to rubble, parents are grieving for children they couldn’t protect, and hospitals, overflowing and under-resourced, struggle to care for the wounded. Life in Gaza has devolved into a harrowing fight for survival, where each day brings new heartache, and the hope of relief seems further and further out of reach.

What will it take to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis? In a world that’s watching but not yet acting decisively, is there a way to bring peace and stability to the people of Gaza?

Ending this crisis will take more than calls for ceasefires or temporary measures; it will require a global commitment to uphold humanity, demand justice, and work toward lasting peace.

What is Currently Happening in Gaza?

Gaza is in utter despair. The war has taken a devastating new turn, with Israel intensifying its bombings, leaving the region in relentless chaos and destruction.

After the targeted killings of Hamas’s supreme commander and Iran’s supreme leader, Iran retaliated against Israel with drones and missiles. In response, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, sparking even greater devastation. What little remained standing in Gaza is now on the brink of collapse.

Schools that once served as fragile shelters for families are now reduced to ashes, with no refuge left for those desperately seeking safety. The northern region of Gaza is being evacuated under gunpoint, while Palestinian teens are being forced to strip and walk in humiliating lines, with no dignity spared.

Humanitarian aid—previously trickling in through borders from other countries and the UN—has been largely cut off. Attacks on hospitals, schools, and aid tents continue without warning, intensifying daily to an unimaginable level, as if Gaza itself is being systematically erased.

The fear, grief, and despair of Gaza’s people are overwhelming as they witness their world disappearing, wondering if anyone will stand up to end their suffering.

Enduring the Unthinkable: The Human Toll of Gaza’s Crisis

What is unfolding in Gaza goes beyond the realm of conflict; it is devastation on an unimaginable scale. According to official sources, thousands are under relentless bombardment, with civilians struggling to survive amidst rapidly deteriorating conditions. 

Reports from the UN Human Rights Office and other humanitarian bodies reveal scenes of people huddling in makeshift shelters, often constructed from whatever they can find, such as plastic bags and wooden scraps. 

Families are forced to endure shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies while constantly moving to escape the latest round of airstrikes. For many, life now means seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters or ruined schools, only to see these places targeted again in continued attacks.

One heart-wrenching account comes from an official at the UN, who described watching over a hundred children chase after a lone food cart—a tragic reminder of how scarce resources have become for Gaza’s 2 million residents, half of whom are children. 

The scarcity of aid is felt even more as supplies that manage to cross borders are limited by the dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, hospitals struggle to function with dwindling medical supplies, unable to treat the increasing number of casualties, and some have faced attacks themselves, leaving thousands without essential care.

Even the basics of humanitarian aid are now nearly impossible to deliver effectively, hindered by severe restrictions on movement and escalations in violence. Representatives from the UN have voiced that an immediate ceasefire and an “enabling environment” for aid are the only ways to provide an effective humanitarian response in Gaza. 

Without political commitment, the efforts of humanitarian workers on the ground cannot meet the overwhelming needs of Gaza’s population. The international community has called repeatedly for a lasting resolution, emphasizing the severe risks of disease outbreaks due to unsafe sanitary conditions and lack of vaccinations—conditions that many officials warn could lead to even more tragic losses if urgent action is not taken.

What Will It Take To End the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis?

Ceasefire!

Humanitarian organizations and leaders around the world are unanimous: Gaza needs an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and enable lifesaving aid. Without one, the consequences may spiral further into catastrophe.

As Dr. Tedros urges, protecting hospitals, health workers, and patients is the most fundamental step in averting a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Ending this crisis requires international voices to unite for Gaza. Leading powers, including the U.S., European nations, Russia, and others, must unite to amplify calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian protection. Only with coordinated global pressure can diplomatic efforts potentially lead to sustainable peace and end suffering.

A ceasefire alone is not enough; there must be accessible and safe channels for humanitarian aid currently restricted at border crossings.

This blockade prevents access to essential items like food, water, and medical supplies, violating the fundamental rights and dignity of those in Gaza.

World leaders must come to the table, with ceasefire negotiations as a non-negotiable first step. If left unchecked, the scale of this crisis could destabilize the region and escalate into larger global conflicts. Immediate, concerted action is critical—not just to prevent further suffering but also to work toward a stable, humane future for Gaza and the region.

Ending the suffering requires not just diplomatic words but concrete actions from all parties involved, focusing on peace, protection of human rights, and preservation of life.