Gaza: 22+ Dead in Israeli Strikes – L’Express

Gaza Strip’s Civil Defense Reports 22 Fatalities Amidst Escalating Israeli Strikes

The Gaza Strip’s Civil Defense agency has reported a grim toll of 22 lives lost due to israeli bombardments across the territory. Israel claims these strikes are a direct response to Hamas actions against its soldiers, which they assert violate the existing truce.

Devastating Strikes in Gaza City and khan Younes

in Gaza City,Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals,including a family of five – parents and their three children. Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal, whose organization operates under Hamas authority, appeared in a video displaying the bodies of three young children in shrouds. The Khan Younes region in the southern Gaza Strip also saw 10 fatalities, wiht two minors among the deceased, though their ages were not specified.

IDF Cites “Violation of Ceasefire Agreement”

The Israeli army stated that “several terrorists” opened fire on their soldiers operating in Khan Younes. While these shots did not result in any injuries, the IDF deemed it a “violation of the ceasefire agreement.” In response, the Israeli military initiated strikes against hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip.

Challenges in Independent Verification

Due to media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing the ground, the AFP has been unable to independently verify the data provided by both parties.

fragile Truce Under Strain

A fragile truce, brokered by the United States, has been in place in Gaza since October 10th.This truce has already been marred by several instances of violence. The initial phase of the agreement facilitated the return of the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas since the October 7th attacks, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, 25 bodies of deceased hostages were returned, out of the 28 Hamas had committed to repatriating.

Disagreements Over Hostage Returns and Future Plans

Israel is demanding the surrender of the remaining hostages, accusing Hamas of delays. Hamas, however, cites the difficulty of locating them in a territory devastated by two years of war. The second phase of a plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump for Gaza has not yet been approved. This phase includes the disarmament of Hamas,the establishment of a transitional authority,and the deployment of an international stabilization force.

Context of the Conflict

The current conflict was ignited by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which lead to the deaths of 1,221 people. Israel’s subsequent retaliation in Gaza has resulted in over 69,500 deaths, according to figures from the Hamas-controlled territory’s Health Ministry, which the UN considers reliable.