Palestinians in Gaza have experienced their deadliest 24 hours since the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect nearly three weeks ago.
Israel killed more than 100 people, including 46 children, in attacks late Tuesday and Wednesday. Medical officials told Al Jazeera that the attacks were across Gaza.
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This has led to dozens of ceasefire violations so far, and the future outlook is grim. Let’s take a look at the current situation.
What’s the latest news?
By noon on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that it would return to a ceasefire as directed by the political leadership, but remained ready to strike again if necessary.
It said it had attacked more than 30 targets in the besieged enclave, claiming the targets were “terrorists in command positions within terrorist organizations.”
But at least 18 members of the same family, including children, parents and grandparents, were killed in central Gaza as more homes were destroyed by Israeli bombs.
Civil defense teams once again had to use small tools and their hands to dig through the rubble of the bombed area to search for survivors and dead. Several tents of displaced Palestinian families were also targeted.
At least 68,643 people have been killed and 170,655 injured since Israel’s genocidal war began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
What was Israel’s justification?
Israel announced on Tuesday that the remains of a prisoner of war removed from Gaza by Hamas through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did not match one of the 13 bodies scheduled to be handed over as part of the ceasefire.
Israeli forensic analysts determined that the body was that of Ofir Tsarfati, who was taken to Gaza during the Hamas-led offensive on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and whose partial body was recovered in November of the same year.
Israeli officials, especially far-right ministers in the coalition who oppose ending the war in Gaza and want Hamas to be “annihilated,” fiercely objected. Groups run by families of prisoners of war also expressed outrage and demanded action.
Shortly after, Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced that it would hand over the remains of the Israeli prisoners at 8pm (8pm Japan time), but the handover was postponed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “strong offensive” into Gaza.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard in the southern city of Rafah. Israel claimed the attack was carried out by Hamas fighters, but Hamas denies this.
Israel also accused Palestinian groups of “staged” the recovery of prisoners’ remains after showing footage of Hamas fighters allegedly burying bodies before informing the ICRC.
The ICRC said its staff were “not aware that the deceased were being kept there prior to their arrival.”
What does a ceasefire include?
As part of the agreement, which took effect on October 10, Hamas handed over all 20 remaining living prisoners held in Gaza within days.
The group also handed over the remains of 15 Israeli prisoners who died as part of the agreement, but 13 others remain unrecovered or undelivered.
Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid to Gaza, but the supply is well below the 600 trucks per day stipulated in the cease-fire agreement, the level needed to help starving residents.
Israel has also blocked tents and mobile homes from entering the enclave, but has allowed some heavy equipment to enter to search for the bodies of prisoners.
Once all the remains are handed over, a second phase of the ceasefire could come into effect, allowing for the deployment of an international stabilization force and the rebuilding of Gaza.
Israeli officials have repeatedly stressed that they will not allow the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state and are moving ahead with plans to illegally annex the occupied West Bank despite international criticism.
What does Hamas say?
Hamas accused Israel of fabricating “false pretexts” to resume its invasion of Gaza.
Hamas said Israel had committed at least 125 violations before the attack the day before.
The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 211 Palestinians had been killed, 597 injured and 482 bodies recovered in Israeli attacks since October 10.
Hamas also accused Israel of obstructing efforts to recover the bodies of prisoners of war and using the same bodies as a pretext to claim non-compliance.
The report said Israel has prevented enough heavy equipment from entering Gaza to recover remains and has blocked search teams from entering key areas.
The Qassam Brigades announced that its militants recovered the bodies of two more deceased prisoners of war, Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baluch, during a search operation carried out on Tuesday.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they are prepared to hand over administration of Gaza to technocratic Palestinian groups, arguing that the armed resistance is the result of decades of Israeli occupation and apartheid.
What does this mean for civilians in Gaza?
Since the war began, the main victims of Israel’s war in Gaza have been civilians.
They have been unfairly targeted and have seen Gaza’s infrastructure and livelihoods destroyed by bombs and invading Israeli forces, such as in recent nighttime attacks.
With no place in Gaza completely safe, Palestinians were again exposed to panic that the Israeli offensive could be extended.
Israeli fighter and reconnaissance planes continued to hover over the airfield.
What is happening now?
The United States has repeatedly expressed support for Israel despite the ceasefire violations and has emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the ceasefire was “not in jeopardy” despite the airstrikes.
Mediator Qatar has previously denounced violations of the agreement and accused Israel of undermining its implementation. However, we have been working with Egypt to ensure the survival of the agreement.
