At least seven people, including an eight-year-old girl, were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Saturday, marking the first anniversary of the United States-backed truce. Medical sources describe the ceasefire as existing “in name only,” as violence has persisted throughout the past year.
Shahd Abdul-Razzaq al-Najjar, 8, died after being struck by an Israeli quadcopter drone in the al-Jawazat area of western Gaza City, according to an emergency services source speaking to Al Jazeera. In the same district, four individuals were killed and several others injured in a separate bombing near the Haider Abdel Shafi roundabout, as reported by al-Shifa Hospital.
Additional casualties were recorded elsewhere in the enclave. A Palestinian woman died in Khan Younis from injuries sustained during an earlier Israeli attack on Saturday, while another person was killed in the Tuffah neighborhood of northeastern Gaza City.
The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that 1,481 Palestinians have been killed and 5,254 injured since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 of the previous year. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, the ministry reported that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in at least 74,370 deaths and 175,371 injuries. Over the preceding 24 hours alone, attacks killed nine people and wounded 65, with one additional death attributed to prior injuries.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from Gaza that the agreement has only intensified uncertainty for residents. “The rhythm of the genocide has not changed,” he said. “The danger has not gone away completely, and that’s why people believe that it has more consequences, far beyond the immediate loss of life.”
On Friday, a coalition of more than 100 humanitarian, human rights, and civil society organizations issued a joint statement condemning the situation. They argued that the ceasefire is nominal, citing ongoing daily killings and restrictions on aid, equipment, and rebuilding materials that prevent families from recovering.
Tensions also flared in the occupied West Bank, where the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission recorded at least 12 Israeli settler attacks on Saturday morning. According to Wafa news agency, settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers using beatings and pepper spray, stole property, and attacked homes, often with the support of Israeli military forces. In the Ramallah and el-Bireh Governorate, settlers and soldiers forced farmers off their land, detained several individuals, and confiscated vehicles and phones.
Another tragic week with so many innocent lives lost. The child’s death breaks my heart. Prayers for those grieving families.
Can someone explain how aid restrictions continue under a peace deal? NGOs are right to call this out openly.
The statistics are horrifying. 1,481 dead since the truce began? This clearly contradicts the official narrative completely.
I can’t believe this is still happening on the anniversary. How is any of this considered a ceasefire? It makes no sense.