TEL AVIV: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the army to continue demolitions in the Gaza Strip, openly admitting the campaign is being coordinated with the United States to dismantle Hamas’s underground tunnel network.
Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered on October 10 by Egypt, Qatar, and the UN, Israeli operations have persisted. Katz described the tunnel destruction as “the most important strategic objective for Gaza’s demilitarization.”
Witnesses in southern Gaza reported heavy machinery and explosives being used in residential zones under the justification of “neutralizing tunnels,” while Palestinian authorities accuse Israel of using this as cover for continued aggression.
Rising Death Toll and International Criticism
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and several rights groups, more than 68,500 people have been killed since October 7, 2023, with the majority being civilians.
Humanitarian organizations have accused Israel of “violating ceasefire commitments” and of conducting indiscriminate strikes.UN Human Rights Office spokespersons warned that “military actions justified under tunnel demolition are effectively targeting densely populated areas.”The Israeli military, however, maintains that tunnel destruction is crucial to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its logistical and arms supply network.
Strategic Coordination with Washington
Officials close to the Israeli Defense Ministry revealed that the tunnel demolition campaign is part of a joint U.S.–Israel strategic initiative aimed at permanently crippling militant capabilities.
While Washington has publicly urged restraint, U.S. officials have not condemned Israel’s continued strikes. Analysts say the silence reflects Washington’s long-term goal of integrating Israel’s tunnel-detection technology into broader Middle East security cooperation.
Security observers point out that this deep coordination contradicts U.S. rhetoric supporting a humanitarian truce. “The U.S. position is one of managed ambiguity,” notes former diplomat Eyal Luria.
Palestinian Response and Regional Repercussions
Hamas officials in Doha denounced Israel’s latest demolitions as a “mockery of the ceasefire agreement.”They argue that the continued military presence in Gaza undermines any peace framework, fueling resentment across the region.
Egypt and Jordan have expressed concern that the violence could reignite cross-border tensions, while Turkey and Malaysia called for an independent international inquiry into ceasefire breaches. Analysts warn that this prolonged Israel-Gaza Ceasefire violation risks destabilizing wider Middle East diplomacy, particularly with U.S. elections approaching and Arab League mediation under strain.
Humanitarian Fallout
Aid convoys entering Gaza remain limited as border checkpoints stay under Israeli control.
The UNRWA has reported severe shortages of medicine, fuel, and clean water. Residents of Gaza City and Khan Younis say that despite the declared ceasefire, drones and artillery fire continue nightly, preventing displaced families from returning. Humanitarian agencies fear that if Israel’s Gaza Ceasefire violations persist, Gaza could face the largest displacement crisis since 1948.
