DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP: Israeli airstrikes sadly killed at least 15 people, including a child, early Saturday in southern Gaza. Hospital workers reported this tragic news while new ceasefire talks were starting in Qatar. A small boy cried for his father, and a woman mourned over a body covered in white plastic. The airstrikes targeted a car, a house, and people on the street in Khan Younis. More destruction was reported with another strike that hit a residential area in Gaza City, killing at least five more people.
Gaza’s Health Ministry shared that in the last 24 hours, at least 59 people have died and over 270 were hurt due to the attacks. There were no comments from the Israeli military about these incidents. Meanwhile, talks for a ceasefire continue in Qatar’s capital, Doha, after many months of war. The Hamas group mentioned that discussions had restarted and they want to reach an agreement, urging people not to believe any false information.
These negotiations involve the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt but have stalled many times. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the fight must continue until Hamas is defeated. Fighters from Hamas are regrouping where Israeli troops pull back.
This ongoing war is the worst fighting between Israel and Hamas so far. It began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly innocent civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. Now, around 100 of those hostages are still in Gaza, and at least one-third are believed to be dead.
Families of the hostages have been holding weekly protests, pleading with Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire to bring their loved ones home. In a video from Hamas, Israeli soldier Liri Albag, who is a hostage, spoke about her sad experience and mentioned being held for 450 days. Speaking under pressure, she said, “Today is the start of a new year; the whole world celebrates. But we are entering a dark year, filled with loneliness.” She also said another captive was hurt in the fighting.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s strikes have led to at least 45,717 Palestinian deaths, with women and children making up more than half. They have not separated civilians from fighters in this count. Many bodies are still trapped under rubble or in places where help can’t reach. Israel claims it only targets fighters and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because they hide among civilians.
The war has caused massive damage and displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom have lost their homes multiple times. Winter has come, and thousands are living in tents by the sea, with some children sadly dying from the cold.
In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager was reported killed during clashes with the Israeli army in the Balata refugee camp. The Palestinian Health Ministry stated nine others were injured. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli actions in the West Bank have reportedly killed over 800 Palestinians, many of whom are said to be fighters. However, others, including young people not involved in confrontations, have also been killed.
A fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese group Hezbollah has lasted for over a month. However, it seems unlikely that the agreed-upon terms will be met before the expected deadline.
Leave a Reply