Kathmandu— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced opposition to a 15-point plan for Gaza proposed by the US Board of Peace on Sunday, stating that Israeli forces would not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. This rejection occurred alongside reports of decreased Palestinian fatalities in Gaza and secret approvals for infrastructure rehabilitation projects, suggesting a complex approach despite ongoing conflict. Since October’s “ceasefire”, at least 1,258 Palestinians have been killed and 4,139 wounded, while over 73,000 have been killed and 174,250 wounded since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. The situation remains volatile with continued violence in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Gaza: De-escalation Alongside Entrenchment

While publicly rejecting the US roadmap, Israel has shown subtle shifts in its approach to Gaza. The number of reported Palestinian deaths decreased significantly this past week, falling from 47 between July 27 and August 3 to eight through August 10, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli Army Radio reported that Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz secretly authorized rehabilitation work in eastern Rafah, allowing Palestinian laborers access after security screening.

However, experts express concern that this project, dubbed “Green Rafah,” may serve to further solidify Israel’s military presence within Gaza rather than providing genuine humanitarian relief. Reports indicate that the delivery of caravans needed for housing has been delayed until after Israel’s October election, despite a 2025 ceasefire agreement. Despite these concerns, US officials have reportedly indicated no order to freeze preparations for the second phase of an agreement, with plans for a base for an International Stabilization Force in Rafah potentially beginning construction by the end of August.

West Bank Under Increased Pressure

Israeli forces conducted a large-scale operation in Qalandiya refugee camp and Kafr Aqab, north of occupied East Jerusalem, resulting in numerous reports of abuse. Local sources claim soldiers demolished property, severely beat a journalist, ran over a young man with a military vehicle, and detained over 60 residents. By Friday’s withdrawal, Palestinian officials reported 51 injuries, primarily from severe beatings.

The operation coincided with an Israeli military probe into last month’s settler attacks in Tal, which found the hike preceding the killings was unauthorized and that troop response was inadequate. Despite this finding, thirteen new illegal outposts have been established near Tal, with political leadership blocking their removal. Similar tactics are being employed elsewhere, including Qusra and Jalud, where Palestinian families have been effectively trapped or forced from their homes by settler activity.

Settler Violence and Legal Developments

The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission recorded 2,256 attacks against Palestinians and their property in July alone, with the majority perpetrated by Israeli forces. While settler violence remains widespread, a rare exception occurred this week when prosecutors indicted Yinon Levi over last year’s killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen – the first such charge in the West Bank in more than seven years.

However, even this indictment was followed by retaliatory actions; settlers disrupted a wedding in Umm Al-Khair shortly after the charges were announced. Additionally, the Israeli government has advanced plans for approximately 650 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem, further expanding existing settlements and potentially isolating Palestinian neighborhoods.

Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

Despite the recent decrease in reported fatalities, Gaza continues to grapple with a severe humanitarian crisis. Crews recently recovered 19 more bodies from a collapsed building after four days of manual digging, as Israel continues to bar heavy machinery from entering the territory. More than 8,000 people remain missing under rubble across the Strip.

A United Nations assessment found that 82 percent of all structures in Gaza – over 201,000 buildings – were damaged or destroyed as of mid-June. The recovery of remains from a November 2023 strike, with more than 150 people still missing, underscores the scale of devastation and ongoing challenges to locating and identifying victims.

The situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains highly unstable, with competing pressures on Netanyahu’s government regarding the US roadmap and continued settler violence posing significant obstacles to any lasting resolution.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.