Fragile Gaza Ceasefire Brings Hope amid Renewed Strikes, high-stakes diplomacy

TDT | agencies

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Gaza awoke yesterday to renewed airstrikes and bloodshed, shattering hopes tied to a recently brokered ceasefire agreement and plunging the strip deeper into despair. This escalation followed Israel's delay in a cabinet vote on the truce, accusing Hamas of reneging on key terms of the fragile deal, which was set to take effect on Sunday.

Saeed Alloush, a resident of northern Gaza, said he and his family were "waiting for the truce and were happy," until overnight strikes claimed the lives of his relatives. "It was the happiest night since October 7," he said, "until we received the news of the martyrdom of 40 people from the Alloush family."

In Tel Aviv, pensioner Simon Patya expressed mixed emotions, saying he felt "great joy" over the return of hostages but "great sorrow for those who are returning in bags. That will be a very strong blow, morally."

Calls for Ceasefire Adherence

Bahrain called for restraint and urged all parties to fully commit to implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these measures are essential to ensuring the exchange of prisoners, hostages, and detainees, facilitating humanitarian aid, and enabling displaced persons to return to their homes in northern Gaza. The agreement was described as "significant" in addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and ending the devastating conflict that has lasted over fifteen months.

Bahrain also expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in mediating the agreement. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry echoed these sentiments, emphasizing "the need to adhere to the agreement and stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza." It also called for "the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip and all other Palestinian and Arab territories, as well as the return of the displaced to their areas."

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi urged world powers to ensure "sufficient and durable" delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Renewed Violence

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the civil defence agency reported that Israeli forces had pounded several areas since the ceasefire deal was announced, killing at least 73 people and wounding hundreds. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,210 people—mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures—has devastated Gaza. The Israeli campaign has killed 46,788 people, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, figures the UN considers reliable