The smoke of gunfire in the Gaza Strip has not completely dissipated, and the withdrawal of the Israeli 98th Division, although it has given the false impression that the fighting is coming to an end, has not been extinguished. The Palestinian resistance forces are still stubbornly fighting in the destruction of their homes, and the Israeli army's withdrawal strategy and the ensuing changes in the fighting indicate that the conflict is still fierce.
Not long ago, the situation in the Gaza Strip took a dramatic turn. The Israeli army began a massive withdrawal from Gaza, where so far they have left only one brigade of troops.
The outside world originally thought that this move meant that the war between Palestine and Israel, which had been tug-of-war for months, was finally coming to an end. However, the truth is not so simple, the flames of war are still burning, but the form and focus have changed.
The face of Gaza after the withdrawal is heartbreaking. The ruins have become the most intuitive portrayal of the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The destruction of hospitals and educational institutions, as well as the devastation of civilian houses, all speak of the cruelty and ruthlessness of war. The "scorched earth policy" implemented by the Israeli army before its withdrawal made the hope of reconstruction elusive.
The Israeli side confirmed that the 98th Division had withdrawn from the Gaza Strip. Their withdrawal was sudden and secretive, with little warning.
At this point, Palestinians are beginning to return to the places they once called home, only to find that everything is in ruins. Fragments of life can only be found in memories now.
On April 8, a new video was released showing members of the Quds Force striking Israeli forces in street fighting. It was the first public footage of the engagement since Israel began withdrawing.
In the video, members of the Palestinian resistance use RPG-7 rocket launchers to strike Israeli Merkava-4 tanks, which is also evidence of the continuation of the war.
The Palestinian resistance has not been relented by Israel's withdrawal. On the contrary, they seem to think that now is the best time to take advantage of this opportunity and continue the pursuit.
Their death squads pursued the retreating Israeli army, trying to deliver the final fatal blow. At the same time, PFLP forces are also engaged in coordinated operations, carrying out mortar and rocket strikes on IDF assembly sites.
On 7 April, the Kasan Brigade announced the results of their battle against the Israeli army. They claimed to have killed a total of 48 Israeli soldiers in a single day, 14 of whom were killed in close quarters combat and 34 others who were wounded or killed in different battles.
In addition, eight Israeli military vehicles were completely or partially destroyed, and successful ambushes were carried out inside residential buildings, resulting in even greater casualties among Israeli forces.
In this tug-of-war between retreat and resistance, the anger and grief of the Palestinians became all too real. Their homes have become battlefields, and their lives have become fragmented.
Although the withdrawal of Israeli troops has given them a glimmer of hope for rebuilding their homes, reconstruction is only a distant dream on the battlefield where the smoke of war has not yet cleared. With their actions, the Palestinians are telling the world that they will never give up fighting, even in the face of ruins.
During this transition period, the security situation in Gaza has become more complex. The withdrawal of Israeli troops did not bring peace, but rather triggered a series of power vacuums.
In some areas, Palestinian armed forces are beginning to struggle for control. These infighting are not only draining the resources of the Palestinian people, but also exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Behind the evacuation, there have been mixed reviews of the move in Israel. Some see this as a sign of capitulation to international pressure and suggest that Israel may have lost its resolve to control the situation. On the other hand, there are voices that praise the military's decision, believing that it is a wise move to avoid more unnecessary sacrifices.
On 9 April, a new round of clashes erupted in the south-west of Gaza City. Israeli drones reportedly carried out several airstrikes in the area, targeting suspected Palestinian resistance hideouts. The Palestinians responded that they had successfully used surface-to-air missiles to shoot down an Israeli drone that had violated their airspace.
The daily lives of the Palestinian population have been greatly affected by this conflict. Many people have lost their homes and thousands have been forcibly displaced.
The infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been severely damaged, the lack of access to clean drinking water and electricity is a widespread problem, medical resources are strained, and disease and hunger threaten every family.
In the international community, concern about the withdrawal and its aftermath continues to rise. The United Nations and other international organizations have called on both sides to return to the negotiating table in search of a lasting and peaceful solution. They stressed that the need for humanitarian assistance should not be overlooked, regardless of the outcome of the conflict.
While the specific causes and long-term effects of the withdrawal remain to be seen, one thing is certain: the scars of the war will affect the land and its people for a long time.
The war between Palestine and Israel, despite many years, the dawn of peace is still elusive. The future of the Gaza Strip is fraught with challenges and unknowns in these uncertain times.