In a night of unprecedented violence, Israeli air strikes hit Gaza, killing 326 people and pushing a fragile two‐month ceasefire to the brink. Local health authorities reported the tragic toll, deepening worries about the future of peace in the region.
Residents described the events as surreal and heart-wrenching. One mother from Gaza City recalled, "It was a night of hell. It felt like the first days of the war," as sudden explosions shattered a moment of calm during fasting. 😢
The attacks devastated houses and tent encampments across Gaza, straining hospitals already overwhelmed after 15 months of conflict. Reports indicate that many of the victims were children, intensifying the sorrow in communities already reeling from continuous loss.
In response, Israeli military officials asserted that dozens of targets were hit and promised further action to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered strong measures following Hamas's refusal to free 59 hostages from a larger group seized in an October attack.
Egypt, a key mediator in the ceasefire talks, has called for restraint and urged all parties to work towards a lasting resolution—even as tensions extend beyond Gaza to Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned, "This will add tragedy onto tragedy," as the renewed violence threatens to deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis, worsened by a halt in aid deliveries for over two weeks.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches with cautious hope that dialogue and restraint will prevail over further escalation.
Reference(s):
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill hundreds, threatening truce's collapse
cgtn.com
