In a dramatic reversal, Israel's military has confirmed that a previously announced ceasefire with Hamas is back in effect, following one of the deadliest nights since the conflict began. The announcement comes after overnight Israeli airstrikes across Gaza claimed at least 81 Palestinian lives, according to local health authorities.
Night of Devastation in Gaza
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes targeted multiple residential areas throughout the coastal enclave overnight, resulting in mass casualties. Rescue workers and medical personnel worked tirelessly through the night to extract victims from the rubble of destroyed buildings as the death toll continued to climb.
"The scale of destruction is unprecedented," reported one emergency responder from central Gaza. "We're dealing with multiple locations simultaneously, and our resources are stretched beyond capacity."
Ceasefire Confusion and Clarification
The situation remained fluid throughout the day as conflicting reports emerged about the status of the truce. Earlier, the Israeli military had announced a ceasefire would take effect, only to later state that operations were continuing before ultimately confirming the ceasefire was back on.
This back-and-forth created confusion among both Israeli residents near the Gaza border and Palestinians in the embattled territory, with many uncertain whether to expect further hostilities or a period of relative calm.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The latest violence exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where residents face severe shortages of essential supplies including food, water, and medical resources. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned about the deteriorating conditions affecting the territory's 2.3 million inhabitants.
Hospitals in Gaza, already operating at limited capacity due to fuel and supply shortages, struggled to cope with the influx of casualties from the overnight strikes. Medical facilities reported operating in emergency mode, with many procedures being conducted in hallways and waiting areas.
International Response and Diplomatic Efforts
The international community has expressed growing concern about the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. Multiple countries and international organizations have called for an immediate de-escalation and protection of non-combatants.
Diplomatic efforts to broker a more lasting ceasefire continue behind the scenes, though previous attempts have yielded only temporary respites in the fighting. The complexity of the conflict and the involvement of multiple armed factions in Gaza have complicated negotiation efforts.
As the fragile ceasefire takes hold, residents on both sides of the border remain cautiously optimistic but prepared for potential renewed hostilities. The coming hours will be critical in determining whether this latest truce can hold or if the cycle of violence will resume.
