Israeli air raids targeting homes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, according to health officials on Tuesday. Prior attacks in the region also caused fatalities, taking the total to at least 18, including four children and two women, one of whom was pregnant and lost her baby. These renewed assaults unfolded amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, aimed at concluding a 15-month conflict and facilitating the release of numerous hostages.
Sources close to the negotiations indicated that Hamas has provisionally accepted a ceasefire draft along with terms for the release of a significant number of hostages. An Israeli official confirmed that while strides have been made in discussions, specific details are still being negotiated. The strife between Israel and Hamas intensified on October 7, 2023, following an incursion by militants into southern Israel that led to roughly 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 250 people. Presently, a portion of the 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza are presumed dead.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, per local health authorities, with women and children comprising over half of the casualties— a statistic that doesn’t differentiate between combatants and civilians.
In the latest military actions, Israeli airstrikes targeted homes in central Gaza, killing at least 17 individuals late Tuesday and injuring several others. Additionally, in the occupied West Bank, a strike in the Jenin refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least six Palestinians, with Israeli military sources confirming a drone strike without offering more details. This action is part of broader raids in the area aimed at quelling militant activities.
Health officials reported that a recent strike in Deir al-Balah led to the recovery of 11 bodies, while another strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed six, with casualties being brought to Awda Hospital, including the head of the nursing department. The Israeli military has claimed that their operations focus solely on militant targets while alleging militants often embed themselves within civilian populations.
Amidst the airstrikes, public sentiment in Israel diverged, with hundreds protesting against a potential ceasefire while thousands rallied for a deal in Tel Aviv. Many voiced their support for families of hostages, emphasizing humanitarian concerns over political strategies. Some demonstrators in Jerusalem condemned potential negotiations with Hamas, with chants referencing the group’s prior attacks.
Addressing concerns about public resistance to a ceasefire, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar indicated that a hostage deal could alleviate pushback against an agreement with Hamas, expressing optimism regarding governmental support should a resolution be reached. Meanwhile, prominent leaders, including Italy’s foreign minister, have expressed intentions to travel to the region to advocate for a peaceful resolution.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has announced the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Qatar to discuss final details of a ceasefire agreement. Equally, Israel’s former defense minister has urged leaders to prioritize a ceasefire and hostage agreement, framing it as a necessity beyond political motivations. This comes as the Israeli government continues to confront pressures from various factions against agreeing to terms with Hamas.
On the ground in Gaza, families, particularly those who have faced displacement, are holding onto cautious optimism that negotiations may yield positive outcomes. Many are growing increasingly anxious about the prospect of continued violence as talks progress. Amidst this bleak backdrop, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is imminent, suggesting that a resolution is closer than ever.
Additionally, Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted central Israel with a missile early Tuesday, prompting sirens and sheltering of civilians. Israeli strikes on Gaza persisted overnight, emphasizing the ongoing and complex nature of hostilities in the region. The conflict remains a focal point of international concern, as various actors weigh in on potential pathways to stability and peace.
