The Israeli army continued its violations of the fragile ceasefire deal for the 42nd day, attacking several parts of the Gaza Strip, killing one Palestinian, and wounding many others.
In Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, the Israeli army bombarded an area and fired numerous live rounds.
Medical sources have confirmed that one Palestinian was killed, and several others were injured in the attack.
In related news, Israeli navy ships fired barrages of live rounds at areas along the Gaza coast.
Additionally, a Palestinian child was injured in Rafah, in Gaza’s southernmost part, after the army fired live rounds at displaced families.
The army also bulldozed a Palestinian home east of Khan Younis in the southern part of the coastal enclave.
These incidents mark the first attack following the end of the first phase of the mediated ceasefire, which concluded without reaching a deal on the second phase.
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Office (PMO) announced on Sunday halting the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following the expiration of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Tel Aviv.
The decision includes banning the entry of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, into the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s office claimed that Israel accepted the framework of the ceasefire proposed by U.S. Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and alleged that Hamas rejected it.
Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel had agreed to the outline of a plan proposed by Witkoff for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan and Passover. This plan had not been previously disclosed by Witkoff.
In a statement issued after a security meeting chaired by Netanyahu, which included the Defense Minister, senior military leaders, and the negotiation team, the office stated that under Witkoff’s proposal, half of the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, both alive and deceased, would be released on the first day of the proposed truce.
The statement added that if a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached, the remaining captives in Gaza would be released.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement ended last night, and the second phase of negotiations was supposed to begin on the 16th day of the first phase (February 3).
However, Netanyahu obstructed this, as he wanted to extend the first phase of the exchange deal to release as many Israeli captives in Gaza as possible without offering anything in return or fulfilling the obligations imposed on Israel in the agreement.
Hamas rejected this and demanded that Israel adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, calling on mediators to immediately start the second phase of negotiations, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a complete cessation of hostilities.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Israel has committed dozens of violations, resulting in over 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries, in addition to failing to implement the humanitarian protocol.
Hamas political leader Mahmoud Mardawi stated that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement includes talks on a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction, and the release of detainees.
Mardawi added that the statements from Netanyahu’s office regarding calm during Ramadan and the Al-Fitr feast are a clear indication that Israel is not interested in a permanent ceasefire and fruitful talks.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that the army killed two Palestinians in Gaza and injured more than 23 in the last 48 hours. Rescue teams located the corpses of 21 Palestinians under the rubble of bombarded homes.
Since October 7, 2023, the number of slain Palestinians has exceeded 48,388, including at least 17,881 children, 12,298 women, 1,068 medical staff, 204 journalists, and 94 Civil Defense medics. Additionally, more than 111,803 have been injured, largely children and women.
