Israeli attacks in Gaza kill several despite ongoing ceasefire

Several Palestinians were killed in two days of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, despite a ceasefire that has been in effect for seven months. Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for the Palestinian Civil Defence, reported that brothers Abdelmalek and Abdel Sattar al-Attar were killed by an Israeli drone strike in Beit Lahiya, an area witnesses claimed was outside the zone under Israeli control. Additionally, nine-year-old Saleh Badawi was shot dead in the Zeitoun neighborhood, and Mohsen al-Dabbari, 38, was killed south of Khan Younis. Three others were wounded when Israeli forces fired at homes in Maghazi refugee camp.

On Friday, three more Palestinians were killed, including brothers Mohammed and Eid Abu Warda, who were shot while transporting water in Shujayea. An Israeli drone also struck a water desalination facility in the same area, resulting in additional casualties. Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that Israel has committed 2,400 violations of the ceasefire since it began in October, including killings and arrests. The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that over 72,340 people have died since October 2023, with at least 765 deaths since the ceasefire began.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes and set fire to vehicles, according to local activist Osama Makhmara. Israeli forces conducted raids in ar-Ram and Nablus, arresting several Palestinians without warrants under military law. Addameer reported that 9,600 Palestinian political prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 342 children and 84 women, with many detained without charge. United Nations experts have described the ongoing violence and displacement as a form of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.