Truce Turns Tragic: Airstrikes Claim 82 Lives in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks
At least 82 people have been killed in Gaza following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the truce and the possibility of lasting peace.
Despite the announcement, Israeli airstrikes intensified, resulting in 30 deaths in Gaza City alone, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. One of the deadliest strikes near the Engineers Union Building claimed 18 lives, while 12 bodies were recovered from the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood by the Palestinian Civil Defence. In central Gaza, a drone attack on a gathering in the Bureij refugee camp killed five people, according to reports.
The violence escalated as residents, who had briefly celebrated the ceasefire news, returned to their tents. “For a couple of hours, people turned this whole area into a stage of celebration,” said Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah. “But we are expecting a surge in attacks by drones and heavy artillery.”
The ceasefire agreement, set to take effect on Sunday, includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced individuals, and efforts to end the conflict. However, Israel has stated that key details, particularly regarding the exchange of prisoners, remain unresolved. Currently, there are at least 10,221 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, excluding detainees from Gaza, such as Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the destroyed Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif reported from Gaza City that the initial sense of relief among residents was short-lived, as Israeli airstrikes targeted hospitals, shelters, and homes after the ceasefire announcement.
The truce, to be implemented in three phases, has sparked both hope and fear among residents. While it offers a glimmer of an end to the ongoing conflict, many worry that violence may escalate further before the agreement takes full effect.
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