Israeli Strikes in Gaza Result in First Forced Evacuation and Multiple Casualties since Ceasefire
In a significant development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli Army ordered dozens of Palestinian families in southern Gaza to evacuate their homes. This is the first such forced evacuation since the ceasefire agreement in October. The action has resulted in the death of at least 16 Palestinians, including three journalists and two children.
Background
A precarious ceasefire has been in effect since October 10th between Israel and Hamas, with both parties accusing each other of violations. However, this week's forced evacuation and strikes marked the first major breaches of this truce. Since the implementation of the ceasefire, over 470 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been killed according to Le Monde.
Recent Developments
Leaflets ordering an immediate evacuation in three languages were dropped in southern Gaza, as reported by The Hindu and Folha de S.Paulo. This was followed by Israeli fire which killed five Palestinians, including two boys, in central and southern Gaza, as stated by local health authorities and reported by CBC News.
Israeli strikes on Wednesday resulted in the death of 11 Palestinians. Among the deceased were three journalists who were working for the Egyptian relief committee, identified as Mohammad Salah Qishta, Abdul Raouf Samir Shaat and Anas Ghanem. According to The Times of Israel, the IDF stated that the strike on the journalists targeted 'suspects' operating a Hamas-affiliated drone near troops.
Reactions and Implications
The recent strikes have sparked widespread condemnation. The killing of journalists has raised concerns about the safety of media personnel in the conflict zone. This incident has also led to increased tensions between Israel and Hamas, with both sides blaming each other for the breaches in the ceasefire.
The ceasefire was a key component of U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, as reported by The Hindu. The recent escalations threaten the progress of this peace deal.
Current Status
The situation remains tense in the region with the evacuation orders still in place and the number of casualties continuing to rise. The recent events have also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians in areas like the West Bank, where, according to Al Jazeera English, Israel has mobilised all military and colonial means to make Palestinian life difficult.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, the recent events underscore the fragile nature of the peace in the region and the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.