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DEIR EL-BALAH – In a significant escalation, Israeli strikes in Gaza resulted in the tragic loss of at least 12 Palestinian lives on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest days since an October ceasefire was negotiated to halt hostilities.
The strikes targeted various locations across the region, including a residential building in Gaza City and a tent encampment in Khan Younis. Hospitals receiving the victims confirmed the fatalities, which encompassed two women and six children from two separate families, casting a somber shadow over the day.
This surge in violence comes just ahead of the anticipated reopening of the Rafah crossing, situated at Gaza’s southern edge along the Egyptian border. Since the onset of the conflict, all border crossings have remained sealed, intensifying the humanitarian crisis within the territory.
The Rafah crossing’s limited reopening symbolizes a pivotal move in the second phase of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire. This phase tackles complex issues, such as the demilitarization of the region after nearly two decades under Hamas rule, and the establishment of a new governance structure to spearhead reconstruction efforts. These steps are crucial as they promise to ease the dire situation, particularly concerning the devastated medical infrastructure.
For many Palestinians, Rafah represents a crucial gateway to life-saving medical treatment unavailable within Gaza. The reopening offers a long-awaited glimmer of hope for those needing urgent care beyond the besieged territory’s borders.
Still, Saturday’s strikes are a reminder that the death toll in Gaza is still rising even as the ceasefire agreement inches forward.
Shifa Hospital said the Gaza City strike killed three children, their aunt and grandmother on Saturday morning. Their mother survived. Meanwhile, Nasser Hospital said the strike on the tent camp caused a fire to break out, killing seven, including a father, his three children and three grandchildren.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has recorded more than 500 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of the ceasefire on Oct. 10. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strikes.
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Magdy reported from Cairo. Sam Metz contributed from Jerusalem.
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