GAZA CITY: Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, the Israeli military launched a series of attacks in the Gaza Strip overnight and this morning, resulting in the death of at least 100 innocent Palestinians. The strikes targeted areas around hospitals and refugee camps, raising concerns about the impact on civilians, just ahead of the start of a ceasefire brokered by Qatar between Israel and Hamas.
The director of a hospital described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” noting that the hospital is the only operating one from Gaza to the northern part of the enclave. Ahmed al-Kahlout, the hospital director, reported that shelling and bombardment had significantly damaged many buildings, with the medical teams working tirelessly amid challenging conditions.
“We need to keep in mind this hospital is now only one operating hospital from Gaza till the northern Gaza,” al-Kahlout stated. The hospital has received over 60 deceased individuals and treated around 1,000 wounded since the attacks began.
Al-Kahlout highlighted the dire circumstances, with medical teams operating in darkness due to a lack of fuel, and non-surgery practicing doctors forced to perform procedures such as c-sections and amputations due to a shortage of surgeons.
Israel Confirms Operations Ahead of Ceasefire
The Israeli military confirmed its ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip, stating that its troops had targeted “Hamas infrastructure” in the past day. Ground troops conducted raids in Sheikh Zeid and Jabalia in the north of Gaza.
Meanwhile, the violence extended into the West Bank, where Israeli raids claimed the lives of five Palestinians and injured five others in the Tulkarem refugee camp. Additional raids and detentions took place in various locations, further escalating tensions in the region.
Earlier today, Qatar confirmed that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement after weeks of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at freeing some of the 240 hostages held in Gaza in return for a temporary ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid.
