Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Airstrikes Erupt After Fragile Truce Collapses

Israeli strikes on Gaza escalated significantly overnight, even after a ceasefire agreement was announced on Wednesday, set to commence on Sunday. This situation has plunged Palestinian communities into chaos, as celebrations turned to mourning amidst the violence. The primary keyword here is “Israeli strikes on Gaza,” which captures the essence of the ongoing crisis.

According to Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense, the toll of violence has been devastating. Since the announcement of the ceasefire, Israeli forces have reportedly killed 73 people, including 20 children and 25 women, while injuring over 230 individuals.

The strikes have targeted displacement shelters and residential homes throughout the strip, as well as markets and even the shores of Rafah, as reported by the news site Arab48. Journalist Warda Saed al-Dremly shared her harrowing experience, stating, “The night we were waiting for the announcement was very difficult… as if it was one of the first days of the war.”

She went on to describe the atmosphere, saying, “The final moments are always incredibly horrible, filled with strikes, fear, and horror. We prayed all night that we would be fine when the morning comes.”

Dremly expressed her fear for her family, emphasizing, “Every hour is filled with bloodshed.” She refrained from allowing any family member to step outside, worried that they might fall victim to the ongoing Israeli attacks. “We have three days left, so every hour is filled with bloodshed,” she lamented.

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase ceasefire agreement after 15 months of continuous conflict. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced in Doha that the ceasefire will take effect on 19 January, although Israel’s cabinet has yet to vote on the agreement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has alleged, without providing evidence, that Hamas is attempting “last-minute blackmail” by allegedly reneging on certain terms of the agreement. Meanwhile, Israeli assaults on Gaza have continued unabated.

Basal reported on social media, stating, “The Israeli occupation forces are still practicing the bombing policy until now,” describing it as a “very difficult and harsh day for the Gaza Strip, and specifically Gaza City.”

Muhammad Mushtaha, a 31-year-old displaced Palestinian residing in Shujaiya, recounted witnessing a powerful bomb detonate around 4 am, resulting in the destruction of several homes and casualties, including children. He shared, “Civil defense forces said they could only take the wounded because the night was filled with bombardments and [their capabilities were] too overwhelmed to take martyrs… and that we needed to bury them on our own.”

He added, “All the houses around us were destroyed.”

According to the ceasefire agreement, 33 Israeli captives held in Gaza will be released as part of the first phase, which includes nine individuals who are ill or wounded. In return, Israel will free 1,000 Palestinians who were detained since 8 October 2023.

Furthermore, the Israeli army will begin withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, moving eastward from densely populated regions, including the Netzarim Corridor and Kuwait Roundabout.

The second phase of the agreement outlines the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Although the specifics are yet to be confirmed, the third phase will involve returning the bodies of Israeli captives still in Gaza and announcing a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the enclave, overseen by international actors.

The ongoing conflict, which has lasted 467 days, has resulted in nearly 47,000 deaths, predominantly among women and children. Additionally, over 110,000 individuals have sustained injuries, and at least 11,000 people are missing and presumed dead under the rubble.

The scale of destruction has rendered Gaza uninhabitable, adding to the humanitarian crisis. Dremly conveyed her mixed emotions to Middle East Eye, stating that while they welcome the pause in fighting, the losses they have endured are deeply painful. She has lost several loved ones, including her father, which has profoundly affected her family.

She poignantly remarked, “We are upset because another kind of pain will resurface [once the ceasefire starts]. A new war will begin… the war of loss, pain, and fear, physically and mentally.”

This situation highlights the fragility of peace in the region and the ongoing struggles faced by those in Gaza as they navigate the consequences of prolonged conflict.