By mid-January, the Israeli military had killed more than 440 Palestinians in Gaza since Oct. 10, continuing to violate its ceasefire with Hamas by attacking Gaza on a nearly daily basis. Since the U.S.-backed agreement went into effect, the Israeli military has also wounded an additional 1,200, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The death toll includes more than 100 children, or “roughly one girl or boy killed every day,” according to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.
Meanwhile, Israel continued to block aid and critical supplies from flowing into Gaza, creating dangerous living conditions amid winter storms. In January, multiple children reportedly died due to freezing conditions or hypothermia.
Despite Israel’s flagrant ceasefire violations, the U.S. announced plans to move the deal into its second phase by establishing a “technocratic” Palestinian administration within the enclave and by somehow disarming Hamas. Canadian PM Mark Carney has accepted a role on the board of this effort.
This article appeared in the 2026 Feb/Mar issue.
