What happened
Palestinians in Gaza continue to face Israeli strikes despite a ceasefire, with over 1,400 people killed since its inception. The ceasefire was agreed upon in October last year, with thousands of Palestinians released from Israeli custody in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
However, Israel has continued to launch strikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 30 people in the past week alone. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim that these strikes are targeted at Hamas operatives, but many civilians, including women and children, have been caught in the crossfire.
The death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza now stands at over 74,000 since the start of the war three years ago. Many Palestinians have been displaced, with some forced to live in tent cities and unsafe structures. The UN reports that most of Gaza's 2.1 million population has been displaced multiple times by the war.
A 31-year-old mother of five, Fida al-Toutah, was killed by Israeli gunfire in her tent two weeks ago. Her family claims that she was shot while combing her daughter's hair, and that her death is a testament to the ongoing violence in Gaza. Another victim, 14-year-old Ismail al-Bardawil, was shot dead while fishing with his brothers in the Mediterranean Sea.
The IDF has denied any involvement in these incidents, but the Gaza health ministry has reported that over 300 children have been killed since the start of the ceasefire. The ministry's figures are considered reliable by the UN.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with many residents struggling to survive in cramped and unsafe conditions. Reconstruction efforts have yet to begin, and the October 2025 peace deal has stalled due to an impasse over the second phase of the agreement. Israel strictly controls what materials and machinery are allowed into Gaza, citing security concerns.
