At least 970 Palestinians have been killed in brutal Israeli attacks in Gaza over the past 48 hours. Hundreds more have been injured. The world is condemning these heinous attacks, which violate the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
AFP reported the casualties on Wednesday (March 19), citing the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
The report states that 970 Palestinians have been killed in indiscriminate Israeli attacks in war-torn Gaza in the last 48 hours. The death toll from Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip reached 48,577 by Monday afternoon. By Wednesday afternoon, the number had risen to 49,547.
Israeli forces launched indiscriminate attacks on the Gaza Strip starting Monday night, violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The Hamas-controlled health ministry said this was the deadliest Israeli attack since the fragile agreement began in January.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military attacked a UN building in Gaza on Wednesday. At least one foreign UN worker was killed and five others were seriously injured in the attack.
A statement from the Gaza Health Ministry said that one foreign UN worker was killed and five others were seriously injured in the Israeli attack. The casualties occurred in an Israeli bombing at the headquarters of the Central Gaza Governorate. The injured were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the ministry said.
A ceasefire in Gaza took effect on January 19, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States after months of negotiations. Under the agreement, Hamas released 38 hostages. In exchange, nearly 2,000 prisoners were released from Israeli jails. After the initial ceasefire expired, Qatar and Egypt were in talks with the warring parties in Doha, Qatar, for a second phase of a permanent ceasefire. Reuters reported that ceasefire talks had broken down following Monday night's attacks.
Although talks had been going on for a month and a half, Israel was not willing to agree to the second phase of the ceasefire, which included a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of all troops from Gaza. Israel and its ally the United States wanted to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and release the remaining hostages in Gaza.
But Hamas has been saying that the second phase of the permanent ceasefire agreement must be implemented as per the original agreement. Under this, all Israeli troops must be withdrawn from Gaza. Only then will they release the remaining hostages.
Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif said yesterday that the organization still wants to abide by the original ceasefire agreement. He told Reuters that they are still in contact with the mediators. They are still in favor of fully implementing the original agreement.
