The situation in Gaza remains dire as recent Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Palestinians within a 24-hour period, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This comes amidst ongoing efforts by Arab nations and U.S. mediators to stabilize a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Despite a truce that was established on January 19 to halt extensive fighting, Palestinian officials have reported that numerous casualties have doubled due to continued Israeli fire. As noted, “Reconciliation is often the most difficult, yet the most necessary step” in these challenging instances.
This current phase of relative calm, which began in March, has not led to an agreement on the subsequent steps needed for a more enduring ceasefire in the region. The Israeli military asserts that its operations have been aimed at thwarting threats from “terrorists” who have approached their forces or attempted to plant explosives since the ceasefire took effect.
Tragically, the latest fatalities included nine individuals, four of whom were journalists, killed in an airstrike in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. The Israeli military characterized the deceased as members of Hamas’ armed branches and their allied group, Islamic Jihad, claiming that some were using the guise of journalism to operate covertly.
Hamas has referred to the airstrike as “a horrible massacre” and decried it as “a blatant violation of the ceasefire.” Salama Marouf, head of the Gaza government’s media office, criticized the military’s account for including names of those individuals inaccurately reported, stating it stemmed from “inaccurate social media reports without any effort to verify the facts.”
Furthermore, Gaza health officials confirmed that separate strikes claimed the lives of four additional Palestinians yesterday. This morning, an Israeli drone targeted a gathering in the town of Juhr Eldeek, resulting in the death of a 62-year-old man and injuring multiple others. Accounts also include injuries from drone strikes in Rafah. Interestingly, the Israeli military reported being unaware of these specific drone incidents.
The ongoing violence starkly highlights the precarious nature of the three-stage ceasefire agreement being negotiated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., aimed at mediating discussions between Israel and Hamas. To date, the first phase of this agreement saw Hamas release 33 hostages, though tragically, eight were reported deceased, while Israel granted freedom to approximately 1,800 Palestinian detainees.
Hamas has been pressing for dialogue regarding the second phase, which it asserts should encompass an enduring cessation of hostilities, a comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the reopening of borders for humanitarian aid, and the release of remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Israel’s stance leans towards extending the first phase until mid-April, insisting that any transition to the next phase must mandatorily include “the total demilitarisation” of Gaza and the complete dismantling of Hamas, currently in control of the territory since 2007.
This ongoing conflict erupted following a significant cross-border raid by Hamas into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages, as reported by Israeli officials. Israel’s military response in Gaza has claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives and left substantial destruction in its wake, triggering serious allegations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel vigorously denies.
As the situation evolves, the need for a comprehensive and lasting solution remains more urgent than ever, reminding us that “peace is not absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
