The announcement of a truce in Gaza has been met with cautious relief, yet human rights observers warn that without fundamental changes, any pause in hostilities will amount to little more than a reprieve. After more than two years of relentless war and destruction, Gaza remains under siege, and the truce, while offering a brief halt to violence, will not address the deeper injustices at the heart of the crisis.

Human rights advocates stress that the cessation of violence must be accompanied by an end to the system that has sustained decades of oppression. They emphasise that Gaza’s devastation stems not only from military operations but from decades of blockade, displacement, and discriminatory policies that have deprived generations of basic rights. Without dismantling these structures, the truce risks becoming another temporary pause in a broader campaign of subjugation and violence. Critics highlight that any genuine peace process must go beyond ceasefire agreements to demand justice for victims, accountability for crimes committed, and an end to the mechanisms that perpetuate violence.

For civilians in Gaza, the truce brings a moment of fragile hope amid deep scepticism. The scars of war run deep: shattered homes, a collapsed infrastructure, and a population exhausted by years of siege. Humanitarian aid and reconstruction will be vital, but so too will political change that addresses the root causes of the crisis. For those living under siege, a lasting peace will require more than the absence of bombs, it will demand the restoration of dignity, freedom, and justice.