The Israeli military announced on Wednesday, 22 January, that it killed a combatant affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in Gaza. This marks the first officially reported death since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Sunday.

The army stated that its troops, operating within the parameters of the ceasefire agreement, encountered "several armed suspects posing a threat" in the area. According to the statement, the soldiers acted to "counter the threat and neutralise" one of the combatants.

The current truce, entering its initial six-week phase, is designed to facilitate the exchange of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli facilities. It also outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza and the entry of substantial humanitarian aid into a region devastated by 15 months of intense warfare.

However, this incident raises concerns about adherence to the fragile ceasefire. The Israeli army reported using "warning shots" in multiple locations across Gaza to deter masked individuals approaching its troops. While reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire terms, the military emphasised its readiness to respond to "any immediate threats" to safeguard its operations.

The people of Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of suffering, even as the truce offers a temporary respite. For many, the violence of the past 15 months has left scars too deep to heal overnight. The question remains whether this ceasefire will bring genuine relief or if further escalations will once again disrupt the fragile hopes for peace.