Israel strikes Gaza again despite Israeli media claims of halting military operations

Despite Israeli media reports claiming that the Israeli army has halted its military operation in Gaza, attacks on the region continue unabated.

On Friday, the Israeli army conducted a drone attack in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of five Palestinians and injuries to several others.

2 drone strikes, 5 killed

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense Service, reported that three Palestinians were killed in a drone strike on a gathering in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, southern Gaza City.

Another drone strike targeted a home belonging to the Hussein family in the Zeitoun neighborhood, injuring several Palestinians. Additionally, two more Palestinians were killed in a strike on the Madi family home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, northern Gaza City.

The Israeli artillery also hit eastern areas of Deir al-Balah city and the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, according to witnesses.

Death toll rises to 40.000

Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Israel’s offensive continues following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The ongoing assault has claimed over 40,000 lives, mostly women and children, and injured over 92,000, according to local health authorities.

The devastating impact of the conflict has left large parts of Gaza in ruins, with a severe blockade restricting access to food, clean water, and medical supplies.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has ordered an immediate halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden’s government aims to reach a hostage and cease-fire agreement next week, U.S.-based outlet Axios reports.