Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill at Least 104 Palestinians, Casts Shadow on Ceasefire
At least 104 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza on Tuesday night, with witnesses describing the scene as "pillars of fire and smoke" rising into the air. The Israeli military said it struck "dozens of terror targets and terrorists" in response to violations by Hamas of the US-brokered ceasefire deal. The strikes hit homes, schools, and residential blocks in various areas of Gaza, causing widespread destruction and a significant loss of life.
Key Takeaways:
- At least 104 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli strikes, including 46 children and 20 women.
- The Israeli military struck "dozens of terror targets and terrorists" in response to Hamas violating the ceasefire deal.
- The strikes hit homes, schools, and residential blocks in various areas of Gaza, including Gaza City, Beit Lahia, Bureij, Nuseirat, and Khan Younis.
- A total of 250 people were injured in the strikes, with many more feared trapped under the rubble.
- The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, accused Hamas of an attack that killed an Israeli soldier and warned that Hamas would "pay many times over" for violating the agreement to return deceased hostages' bodies.
- The US President, Donald Trump, maintained that the ceasefire would not be jeopardized, but added that Israel should "hit back" when its soldiers were targeted.
Statistics:
- At least 104 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli strikes.
- 46 children and 20 women were among the deceased.
- 250 people were injured in the strikes.
- Over 68,600 people have been killed in the Gaza conflict, including over 200 since the ceasefire took effect.
- The ceasefire agreement brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey is supposed to implement the first stage of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan.
Sources:
- BBC News - Agencies
- Ada Derana