The Gaza ceasefire is dangerously fragile

Donald Trump has already switched his attention to Russia and Ukraine, while mayhem breaks out in Gaza. He believes the ceasefire will hold, but both the Israelis and Hamas need to be reminded that the people who live in Gaza (not counting Hamas) need to be protected from any more violence. Hamas gunmen are marching round the Strip like they still own the place and are testing Israel's defences. Israel claims Hamas fired shells at Israeli troops still occupying about 53 per cent of the territory, killing two soldiers. In response Israel launched airstrikes to hit Hamas wherever they were. Whether this was proportionate or not is a matter of debate because at least three dozen people were reportedly killed, by no means all of them Hamas gunmen. But then the ceasefire was reinstated and just about managed to hold. Ths is is going to be the way of things over the next few weeks. The slightest burst of violence is going to lead to mass retaliation. This is why it is so crucial for the second phase of the Trump 20-point peace settlement is launched as fast as possible. This includes the disarming of Hamas and the introduction of a security monitoring force from Muslim countries. But this could be weeks or months away, and in the meantime, this precious ceasefire in Gaza is going to be tried and tested, and, tragically, more people are going to die.