DaysofPal- Just hours after a ceasefire agreement was announced between Israel and Hamas, Gaza officials say a wave of Israeli airstrikes struck parts of the besieged enclave overnight, casting doubt on the immediate implementation of the deal.
Mohammed al-Mughayyir, a senior official with the Gaza Civil Defence, reported that “a series of intense air strikes” targeted Gaza City and northern areas shortly after the ceasefire announcement.
“Since the announcement last night of an agreement on a proposed ceasefire framework in Gaza, several explosions have been reported, particularly in areas of northern Gaza,” al-Mughayyir said, speaking to AFP.
The airstrikes came after Hamas publicly confirmed it had accepted a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the 734-day Israeli genocidal war.
The agreement, reached after weeks of negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, calls for a phased halt to the Israeli war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who facilitated the talks alongside Egyptian and Qatari mediators, announced Wednesday night that both “Israel” and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of the plan.
Qatar confirmed that consensus had been reached on “all provisions and implementation mechanisms.”
But the renewed Israeli airstrikes have shaken public confidence in the deal. “People were celebrating in the streets when the news broke,” said Hani Abu Issa, a resident of northern Gaza.
“Now we’re back in fear, under bombardment again. What kind of ceasefire is this?” he added.
Humanitarian groups operating in Gaza have expressed alarm over the reports and called for the swift enforcement of the ceasefire terms.
“This is a critical moment,” said a spokesperson for the International Red Cross.
“If the parties don’t implement the agreement fully and immediately, more lives will be lost.” He added.
Despite the Israeli attacks, Hamas officials described the agreement as a “national achievement” and a result of the Palestinian people’s “heroic sacrifices and steadfast resistance.”
Senior Hamas official Ezzat al-Resheq called the deal a reflection of Palestinian unity and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to pursuing national rights and self-determination.
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