The fragile ceasefire in Gaza has failed to halt a broader pattern of Israeli military aggression now spreading across Palestine and into neighbouring countries, with deadly airstrikes in Beirut and a ground incursion into Syria marking a dangerous regional escalation.
A 'Reducefire' in Gaza, Carnage Elsewhere
What was heralded as a cessation of hostilities in Gaza has been labelled a mere "reducefire" by observers, doing little to stem the bloodshed or alleviate a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. While global attention has waned, attacks have continued near-daily. On a single day in late October, almost 100 Palestinians were killed. Further strikes on 19 November killed 32, and on 23 November, 21 more lost their lives. In total, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured since the truce began.
Amnesty International's secretary general, Agnès Callamard, warns of a "dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal." She asserts that "Israel's genocide is not over," citing the continued blockade of essential aid. Since the 10 October ceasefire, Israeli authorities have denied entry to almost 6,500 tonnes of UN-coordinated relief, including vital water, food, and medical supplies from 17 NGOs according to Oxfam. No hospitals are fully operational, and thousands face the winter in dilapidated tents.
West Bank Crackdown and Syrian Incursion
The violence is far from confined to Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, a military siege has intensified, with Human Rights Watch alleging actions amounting to "war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing." Tens of thousands have been displaced this year. Last week, footage emerged appearing to show Israeli soldiers executing two surrendered Palestinian men in Jenin, an act fully endorsed by far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Over the past two years, more than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, one in five of them children. The UN recorded over 260 settler attacks in October alone, the highest in two decades, with over 93% of investigations ending without charge.
Israel's operational mandate has now stretched into Syria. Last week, Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into southern Syria, killing 13 Syrians, including children. The military provided no details on its targets. Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of applying a colonial playbook in Syrian territory it occupies: forced displacement, home seizures, demolitions, and unlawful transfers of detainees to Israel.
Lebanon Under Daily Fire
The assault extends to Lebanon, where 64,000 people remain displaced from last year's conflict. Despite peace talks, Israel has launched almost daily bombardments on Lebanese territory, with the latest major strike hitting Beirut on 23 November. Israel continues to occupy five vantage points to launch attacks, primarily targeting Hezbollah.
A UN peacekeeping force reports that Israel is guilty of more than 10,000 air and ground violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in hundreds of deaths. A recent New York Times analysis concluded that "the situation in Lebanon offers a compelling example of a new Middle East where Israel’s reach is near ubiquitous," creating a state of perpetual insecurity for civilians.
This expanding campaign paints a picture of a volatile and unsustainable status quo. Diplomatic language of phased ceasefires and reconstruction rings hollow while Israel's unlawful actions across territories it has no legal right over continue unabated. The illusion of normalcy is not just a Gaza phenomenon; it is a regional one, and it is poised to shatter.
