Half of Gaza is under Israeli occupation.

The dramatic headline "Half of Gaza is under Israeli occupation: 'Situation like Somalia could happen'" well captures the mounting global concern and fear at the rapidly spreading anarchy in Gaza, which is descending into chaos and a severe humanitarian crisis. This dire scenario is unfolding against the backdrop of repeated and ongoing Israeli military incursions that have further fueled the already tense situation in the region.

Gaza's Division and Israeli Occupation

As of April 2025, the Gaza conflict has seen Israeli troops occupy approximately 30% of the territory, including tactically positioned land such as Rafah, parts of central Gaza, and Shejaia, a neighborhood that is near Gaza City itself. The scale of such occupation has notably intensified following the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire that was violated in March 2025, resulting in the regrettable displacement of more than 400,000 Palestinian civilians and the extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure across the territory.

The Guardian.

Analysis of Civil Order.

The systematic dismantling of Hamas's administrative apparatus, coupled with the targeted attacks on the police forces operating in Gaza, has caused a stark and evident collapse of the civil order that prevailed earlier. With this resultant power vacuum now in place, there has been the rise of informal neighborhood committees as a response; these committees are usually made up of a wide representation of local community leaders and members of various political parties. Despite their tireless efforts to preserve a degree of order and stability, their effectiveness is negligible at best, causing the overall situation to be in a state of great instability and uncertainty.

The Guardian.

Global Notifications European Union leaders, including the high-profile Josep Borrell, have expressed their serious concerns about the alarming trajectory in which Gaza is moving. They have made dire predictions that, if trends in the region continue on their course, the territory is dangerously close to becoming what one might characterize as "another Mogadishu." This is a reference to the capital city of Somalia, a city that has suffered through the devastation of a prolonged civil war and has experienced a catastrophic deterioration of its state structures. In the wake of these dire events, Borrell forcefully emphasized the acute importance of taking firm action to prevent the possibility of the existence of a situation in which Gaza descends into a failed state. Hiiraan Online

Humanitarian Crisis The blockade has created critical and acute shortages of essential supplies, including medicine, petrol, and food items. Humanitarian organizations in the field reported critical figures that indicate up to 95% of their operations have totally halted due to the heavy direct bombardment and strict control of the borders that currently exists. Hospitals in the sector are operating under tremendous pressure and tension, struggling to deliver care, and most civilians are existing on very limited rations, with children particularly severely affected by the lack of proper nutrition and resources.

The Guardian. Prospects for the Future.

In a blatant disregard of the numerous international calls and appeals demanding an immediate ceasefire and ensuing reconstruction processes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has categorically declared that Israeli military forces will remain deployed in Gaza for an indefinite period, citing security concerns as the primary justification for this claim. This declaration has been strongly condemned by a number of parties as an illegal occupation, further entangling the already very serious issues that hinder the realization of sustainable peace in the area. Reports by Reuters suggest. In brief, the situation in Gaza is a highly troubling reality characterized by rampant territorial fragmentation, collapse of civil society, and a severe humanitarian crisis that is becoming increasingly dire by the day. The international community is greatly worried and alarmed at the possibility of Gaza's emergence as a failed state, with the troubling comparison with the experience of Somalia serving as a stark and cautionary warning to one and all.