C T Online Desk: At least 326 people were killed as of Tuesday noon in a wave of Israeli aerial attacks across Gaza, the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry said, shattering any hope of reviving a ceasefire deal.
The death toll is expected to rise as many remain under the rubble of bombarded buildings. Further attacks are coming as declared by the Israeli government, and forced displacements of Palestinians have begun in a number of areas ahead of an expected ground assault, reports Reuters and Al Jazeera.
The United Nations’ Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, said in a statement: “Waves of airstrikes occurred across the Gaza strip since the early hours of the morning … This is unconscionable. A ceasefire must be reinstated immediately.”
Israeli authorities have blamed Hamas for the strikes as the Palestinian group has repeatedly declined to release all hostages it has held since 7 October 2023. On the other hand, Hamas and many international players blame Israel for discouraging the continued release of hostages through violations of ceasefire clauses.
Despite the mid-January agreement, Israel restricted aid flow into Gaza and continued occupation of land. Under the 19 January ceasefire deal, a large number of remaining Israeli hostages and the bodies of the deceased were handed over across the border in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees.
There are 59 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli authorities believe fewer than half of them are still alive.
