Israeli forces kill 8 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire agreement

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An Israeli drone flies over the town of Beit Hanoon in northern Gaza [Atef Safadi/EPA]

Despite the ceasefire agreement, at least eight Palestinians were killed and over 25 injured in Israeli strikes on Sunday, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed fatalities included three in northern Gaza and five in Gaza City. The strikes followed a delay in the anticipated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire would not commence until Hamas provided the list of captives to be released in the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal.

The truce, initially set for 8:30 a.m. local time (6:30 GMT), was postponed, with Hamas citing “technical reasons” for the delay.

Under the terms of the agreement, the first day of the ceasefire would see a pause in hostilities, the release of three Israeli captives, and the exchange of approximately 95 Palestinian prisoners.

Since October 7, 2023, the conflict has inflicted heavy casualties. Israeli strikes have killed at least 46,899 Palestinians and injured 110,725.

Meanwhile, Hamas-led attacks on October 7 resulted in 1,139 Israeli deaths and over 200 captives taken. As strikes continue, the humanitarian toll in Gaza escalates, even as the region awaits the much-celebrated ceasefire.

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