The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been marred by violence that has killed at least 115 people in Gaza, including 28 children and 31 women, according to Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil protection agency. More than 265 have been injured.
According to NBC, Bassal said that the hours surrounding the ceasefire agreement were considered “the bloodiest days of the last week” for Gaza. Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Israel continued to bomb Gaza, killing Palestinian civilians and drawing widespread condemnation.
The UN Human Rights Council condemned the attacks, saying, “We are disappointed that immediately after the announcement of the agreement, Israel continued to indiscriminately bomb Gaza, killing Palestinian civilians despite hopes for peace until a ceasefire comes into effect.” inserted”.
The Council urged all parties to accept the Gaza ceasefire agreement to end “15 months of immense and terrible suffering in Gaza”. The Israeli government’s vote on the deal on Friday will determine the fate of the ceasefire, with it expected to take effect on Sunday.
However, the situation remains critical, with Israel Defense Forces saying on Thursday that they struck about 50 targets in the Gaza Strip, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, military complexes and weapons storage facilities, “in the last day”.
The 15-month offensive on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 46,500 people, including thousands of children, according to local health officials. The international community, including the UN Secretary-General, has welcomed the ceasefire agreement as an “important first step” towards ending the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, the world is watching with bated breath in hope of lasting peace. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US, outlines an initial six-week ceasefire phase, which includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Although the road to peace is long and difficult, it has deep historical roots that require attention.
On Thursday, the bodies of four young children were seen lying lifeless on the ground, along with the bodies of other victims at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, in a video captured by NBC News. Eyewitnesses said they were killed in air strikes by the Indian Air Force.
One man told the crew, “They were sleeping happily with the news of the armistice.” Then “Israeli airplanes opened fire on us.”
