A ceasefire in question: Palestinians suffer amid intensified violence

The days leading up to the ceasefire have been marred by intensified violence, with devastating consequences for Palestinians.

WALA ABDUL MUIZ
WALA ABDUL MUIZ
17 Jan 2025 10:49am
Palestinians expressing their frustration in the hours before the ceasefire agreement takes place at noon on Jan 19. Screenshots of a video by @ajplus on Instagram.
Palestinians expressing their frustration in the hours before the ceasefire agreement takes place at noon on Jan 19. Screenshots of a video by @ajplus on Instagram.

SHAH ALAM – A ceasefire plan between Israel and Gaza, agreed upon on Jan 15, was set to take effect at noon on Sunday.

However, the days leading up to it have been marred by intensified violence, with devastating consequences for Palestinians.

Al Jazeera Plus reported in the last 24 hours alone, over 87 Palestinians have been killed, including 21 children. This marks the highest daily death toll in more than a week.

The Israeli army’s actions, described as escalating in the final hours dubbed ‘Hours of Revenge’, have left countless Palestinians questioning the sincerity of the ceasefire agreement.

Among victims killed in the attack includes a young girl who perished while playing in her schoolyard.

Her grieving uncle, Tamer Abu Shaaban, speaking to a media outlet, expressed his anguish and disbelief: “Is this the truce they are talking about? What did this young girl, this child, do to deserve this? Is she fighting you, Israel?”

Displaced Palestinians, such as Moeen Khodr, returned to their homes in areas like Beit Lahiya, Tal al-Zaatar and Beit Hanoun in the Jabalia camp upon hearing of the ceasefire deal. However, they found nothing awaits them.

“They have no land, no money, no homes, nothing is left for them,” he said.

Since the conflict started in October 2023, an estimated 46,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, which was considered a vast undercount.

Over 245,000 housing units have been destroyed, reducing homes and schools to 39 million tonnes of rubble. Thousands of families remain displaced, with little hope of safety or stability.

The ceasefire, serving as a glimmer of hope in the heat of the moment, devastated Palestinians as the violence was prolonged and aggravated in the last hours before it took effect, further raising doubts about whether it would effectively take place.

Following multiple failed ceasefire attempts, they continue to live with worries as more Palestinians suffered and died, pinning Israel in grave responsibility to carry their promise to end the horrifying war, once and for all.

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