Airstrikes in Gaza Shatter Ceasefire Joy

Amid widespread anticipation of a ceasefire, Gaza residents awoke to devastation as Israeli airstrikes reduced neighborhoods to rubble, abruptly ending the brief jubilation. The fragile ceasefire deal, brokered by Qatar and the United States and set to commence on Sunday, now hangs by a thread.
“We were overjoyed with the news of a truce; it felt like our first moment of happiness since October 7,” said Saeed Alloush, recalling the Hamas assault that ignited the conflict in 2023. “But suddenly, news arrived—40 martyrs, including my uncle. It was as if an earthquake ripped through our joy.”
Since the announcement, relentless airstrikes have claimed at least 73 lives, reported Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense. Among the casualties were 20 children and 25 women, with approximately 200 injured. Scenes of despair dominated hospitals like Nasser in Khan Yunis, where staff labored over blood-soaked stretchers, and grieving families gathered around shrouded bodies at Al-Ahli hospital.
The heart-wrenching destruction was particularly evident at a five-story building targeted after the ceasefire announcement. Rescuers worked tirelessly under the night sky, illuminated by headlamps, combing through debris in a desperate search for survivors. “The shelling persists, striking home after home,” said Ibrahim Abu al-Rish, a first responder.
Fear and Uncertainty Persist
In Al-Bureij refugee camp, resident Mahmud al-Qarnawi voiced the shared apprehension: “The shelling hasn’t ceased, planes circle overhead, and the fear is palpable.” Others expressed concern over what may follow before the ceasefire is enacted. “We fear a bloodbath far worse than anything we’ve seen,” said Motaz Bakeer, a displaced resident.
Doctors Without Borders described the situation as dire, with their emergency coordinator, Amande Bazerolle, recounting, “For 20 minutes, there was cheering, but the night ended drenched in blood.”
A Fragile Agreement at Risk
The ceasefire deal, which includes a hostage and prisoner exchange, hinges on approval by the Israeli cabinet. Yet, tensions remain high as Israel accuses Hamas of reneging on aspects of the agreement. Qatar and the United States confirmed that if implemented, the deal would lead to the release of 33 hostages in the initial phase.
The war, which began after Hamas’s October attack resulting in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, has devastated Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza reports 46,788 fatalities, predominantly civilians—a toll deemed credible by the United Nations.
The brief flicker of hope for peace is now overshadowed by fresh waves of loss, leaving Gaza’s residents to grapple with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.