Bombs continue to fall on Gaza despite ceasefire, residents face displacement

More than a week after the United States announced a ceasefire plan for Gaza, bombs are still falling on the territory. The plan, described as a historic breakthrough, was meant to lead to the disarmament of Hamas and a second phase of the truce. But on the ground, residents say little has changed.

In Nuseirat, a central Gaza town, people were seen running to the site of an Israeli airstrike on the night of 31 July. The air was thick with dust and debris. The ceasefire was agreed last October, but Israeli strikes have continued. The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 1,250 people have been killed in that time.

The next day, the scene was one of destruction and displacement. Many Palestinians see the ceasefire as a continuation of the war at a lower intensity. One resident said: "This is the ceasefire. Destruction, ruined homes and people being displaced." Another asked: "Truce, truce, truce. Where is the truce? They killed us."

Strikes often happen in broad daylight. A car was targeted on a busy street in Gaza City. The Israeli military has said it does not hesitate to strike any location if it believes doing so will achieve its objective.

Access to food has improved slightly, but residents remain almost entirely dependent on aid kitchens. That aid is unreliable, with some agencies scaling back over funding, security and supply issues.

One condition of the next ceasefire phase is that Israel withdraws from its positions in Gaza, known as the yellow line. But the line keeps moving forward into Gaza. Every time it moves, families have to leave their homes, taking whatever they can. One resident said: "They have turned people's lives upside down. Anyone who's still even had 1% hope of returning to this place has now lost that hope."

Beyond the yellow line, analysis by Sky's data and forensics team shows Israel has been building berms, mounds of earth, to further separate the territory. The Israeli military said its defensive posture includes a security zone, a physical barrier, intelligence capabilities, technological means and operational activity, intended to prevent infiltrations and protect troops and communities.

Hamas said it would disarm last week, but only if Israel withdraws. Israel says it will not pull out until Hamas disarms. The ceasefire is a stalemate. Nothing has changed since it was announced. The blockade remains, supplies have stopped, targeted killings continue, and there is still gunfire. Gaza is caught in a loop, stuck in time.