Gaza braces for what could come next
published at 11:44
11:44
 Rushdi Abualouf
BBC News Gaza correspondent
 Image source,Reuters
Image caption,
Palestinians search for casualties at the site of an Israeli strike, June 25, 2025.
As the Israel-Iran war winds down, many people hope that the focus is once again turning toward Gaza, where Palestinians are split in their assessments of what the regional shift means for their besieged territory.
Some view the weakening of Iran, Hamas’s key regional backer, as a potentially positive step toward achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
They argue that Tehran’s diminished capacity could push Hamas toward easing their positions, possibly opening the path to an agreement that has long seemed elusive.
Others, however, believe the end of hostilities with Iran will allow Israel to redirect its military focus back to Gaza.
They fear that Israeli forces, relieved from the northern front, may now intensify their ground and aerial operations in the Strip.
Since October 2023, Israel has launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza in response to a deadly Hamas-led attack. The war has caused catastrophic destruction across the enclave and displaced the majority of its population.
Throughout the conflict, Iran has voiced strong support for Hamas and the broader "Axis of Resistance," providing political backing and military aid.
The recent escalation between Israel and Iran, which saw direct missile exchanges and strikes on strategic facilities, diverted Israeli attention for weeks. Now, with that chapter seemingly closing, many in Gaza brace for what could come next. |
