Ceasefire Collapse: Israeli Airstrikes Pound Gaza After Deadline Missed
💥 Tensions flared in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as Israeli warplanes and artillery attacked the northern region shortly after a crucial ceasefire deadline was missed. Palestinian medics reported that eight people lost their lives in the strikes, which came after a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas fell through at the last moment.
Just an hour before the 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Hamas provide the names of three hostages slated for release that day. Hamas, the group controlling Gaza, stated they were committed to the ceasefire but cited \"technical field reasons\" for the delay in providing the list.
The missed deadline dashed hopes for an end to one of the Middle East's most devastating conflicts in years. The war, which ignited on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked Israel—an assault that claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives—has led to catastrophic consequences for both sides.
In response, Israel launched a massive offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in nearly 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza-based health authorities. The conflict has also heightened regional tensions, stoking confrontations involving Israel, Iran, and other forces across the Middle East.
🎯 The Israeli military stated that their aircraft and artillery targeted \"terror targets\" in northern and central Gaza. They emphasized that operations would continue until Hamas fulfills its obligations under the proposed ceasefire.
On the ground, the situation remains dire. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported at least eight fatalities due to the latest Israeli attacks, with dozens more wounded. Residents of Gaza City’s Zeitoun area faced tank fire, while the northern town of Beit Hanoun was hit by airstrikes and tank shells, forcing many who had returned home in anticipation of the ceasefire to flee once again.
🎙️ In a separate incident, an air raid siren sounded in southern Israel's Sderot area, which the Israeli military later confirmed was a false alarm.
As the clock struck 8:30 a.m., when the ceasefire was supposed to begin, some residents in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis celebrated with gunfire and cheers, only to realize that the ceasefire had not materialized.
🛑 Netanyahu's eleventh-hour demand for the hostage list halted the ceasefire's implementation. His office stated, \"The prime minister instructed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30 a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide.\"
Hamas attributed the delay to \"technical\" reasons but assured that the names could be released very soon.
🤝 The ceasefire agreement, brokered over months by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, was seen as a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil. Under the deal, Hamas was to release three female hostages, with Israel reciprocating by releasing 30 Palestinian prisoners for each hostage freed.
However, with renewed violence and unmet demands, the path to peace remains uncertain. The people of Gaza and Israel continue to bear the brunt of this prolonged conflict, yearning for a resolution that seems just out of reach.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
