Post by : Rameen Ariff

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of 27 individuals on Wednesday, as reported by officials within the Palestinian region. These assaults mark one of the most lethal incidents since the ceasefire was established last month. Both Hamas and Israel have traded accusations concerning violations of the fragile truce.

As per Gaza’s civil defense agency, 14 fatalities occurred in Gaza City in the northern area, while 13 were registered in Khan Yunis in the south. Two local hospitals corroborated these figures. Israel contended that the attacks were aims at Hamas after militants targeted regions where Israeli soldiers were stationed in the south, claiming it breached the ceasefire. Conversely, Hamas refuted the claims and termed the assaults a “dangerous escalation” that jeopardizes the truce.

The strikes induced widespread panic and devastation among the local populace. Ahraf Abu Sultan, aged 50, returned to his residence in Gaza City after a year of displacement, only to encounter further bombings. “We barely managed to mend one room in our damaged home to try and settle down, and the bombing and death have resumed. They don’t even grant us a chance to breathe,” he expressed. Another local, Nivine Ahmed, described the scene: “We heard explosions and witnessed smoke billowing. People scattered, and ambulances carried away the deceased.”

The ceasefire, which has primarily held since October 10, is part of a US-mediated agreement that also facilitated the return of the last 48 hosts held captive by militants. While living captives were released, the remains of three hostages still lie in Gaza. The second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative, which includes disarming Hamas, establishing a transitional authority, and deploying an international stabilization force, remains unexecuted. The UN Security Council has recently endorsed Trump’s plan; however, Hamas has rejected it, arguing it does not fulfill Palestinian political and humanitarian needs.

This surge in violence comes two years post Hamas’s October 7, 2023, strike on Israel, which resulted in 1,221 fatalities. In retaliation, Israel’s offensive has thus far claimed at least 69,513 lives in Gaza.

In a related context, Israel executed strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah munitions storage facilities, with the military asserting that Hezbollah, supported by Iran, aims to restore its operational capabilities. These strikes transpired despite an ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon initiated last November. This followed a deadly attack just a day prior in a Palestinian refugee camp that resulted in 13 deaths, marking the highest casualty count since the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Israel’s senior officials visited troops stationed within a Syrian buffer zone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to their presence as “immense for Israel’s security,” although Damascus protested the visit, labeling it a “serious violation of Syria’s sovereignty.”

These recent assaults underscore the prevailing tensions within the region and the precarious nature of ceasefires. Civilians across Gaza and Lebanon continue to suffer from military actions, while genuine efforts towards lasting peace remain in question.

#Global #World