The Gaza ceasefire, brokered by the United States, has been violated by Israel at least 497 times in 44 days, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians since it came into effect on October 10, 2023, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. The report indicates that approximately 342 civilians have died in these violations, with children, women, and the elderly making up a significant portion of the victims.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Gaza Government Media Office condemned what it described as “serious and systematic violations” of the ceasefire agreement by Israeli authorities. It characterized these actions as a “flagrant breach of international humanitarian law,” urging for accountability. Notably, 27 violations occurred on the same day, leading to 24 fatalities and 87 injuries among the Palestinian population.
The Israeli military’s recent actions further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Air attacks conducted on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Palestinians, including children. According to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the strikes were a response to an attack by a Hamas fighter against Israeli soldiers in the territory known as the yellow line. This area represents an unmarked boundary where Israeli troops have repositioned since the ceasefire was established, allowing for control over a significant portion of Gaza.
Local authorities in Gaza have reported that numerous Palestinian families have been “besieged” in the northern regions, as Israeli forces have moved deeper into the enclave, contradicting the ceasefire agreement. Hamas accused Israel of using “fabricated pretexts” to justify these violations and called upon mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, to intervene immediately. The group emphasized that Israel has expanded its territory beyond the yellow line, altering the boundaries set by the ceasefire deal.
In their statement, Hamas demanded that the US administration fulfill its commitments and pressure Israel to uphold its obligations. The Palestinian group expressed concern that Israel is attempting to undermine the ceasefire, reiterating the need for urgent action from international mediators. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq criticized reports from Saudi Arabia-owned Al Arabiya suggesting that the ceasefire had been called off, asserting that Israel is the party consistently violating the agreement while fabricating reasons to justify its military actions.
As the situation continues to evolve, the humanitarian implications remain dire, with ongoing restrictions on the flow of aid and medical supplies into Gaza. The international community watches closely for any developments in this complex and increasingly volatile situation.
