Israel has breached the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire nearly 500 times in just 44 days, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians since the truce took effect on October 10, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Gaza Government Media Office.
According to the office, 342 civilians have been killed in these alleged violations, with children, women and the elderly making up the majority of the victims. “We condemn in the strongest terms the continued serious and systematic violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Israeli occupation authorities,” the office said, calling the actions a “flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.” It added that 27 violations were recorded on Saturday alone, leaving 24 people dead and 87 wounded.
The media office said Israel bears full responsibility for the humanitarian and security consequences of its actions. It also accused Israel of continuing to obstruct the flow of urgently needed aid and medical supplies into the enclave, despite requirements outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
On Saturday, Israel launched a series of air strikes across Gaza, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children, in what the office described as another violation of the six-week-old truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were carried out after a Hamas fighter allegedly targeted Israeli soldiers inside Gaza’s “yellow line,” a zone under Israeli control. “In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas fighters,” it said.
Hamas disputed Israel’s account, demanding evidence for the claim. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq urged US and regional mediators to pressure Israel to honour the agreement and substantiate its accusations.
Local authorities also reported that dozens of Palestinian families remain besieged in northern Gaza as Israeli forces reposition deeper into the territory, which they say constitutes another violation of the ceasefire terms. (Agencies)
