Israel Has Violated Gaza Truce Nearly 500 Times in 44 Days, Killing Hundreds

The Gaza Government Media Office has reported that Israel has violated the US-brokered ceasefire at least 497 times in the 44 days since it took effect on October 10, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties.

In a statement released on Saturday, the office condemned what it called “continued serious and systematic violations” by Israeli authorities, stating these actions represent a “flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.” The report detailed that 342 of those killed were civilians, with children, women, and elderly people comprising the majority of victims.

The situation remains volatile, with 27 violations recorded on Saturday alone, resulting in 24 fatalities and 87 injured. The office emphasized that Israel bears full responsibility for the humanitarian and security consequences of these repeated breaches.

Despite ceasefire terms mandating full aid access, Israel continues to heavily restrict the flow of desperately needed humanitarian supplies and medical equipment into the devastated territory. The restrictions have exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis in the coastal enclave.

The latest wave of Israeli air attacks across Gaza on Saturday killed at least 24 Palestinians, including children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office claimed the attacks were in response to a Hamas fighter targeting Israeli soldiers inside Gaza’s designated “yellow line” area, stating they had “eliminated five senior Hamas fighters” in retaliation.

However, Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq dismissed Israel’s justification, accusing them of “fabricating pretexts to evade the agreement and return to a war of extermination.” He called on mediators and the US administration to pressure Israel to provide evidence for its claims and implement the agreement in good faith.

On-the-ground reports from Gaza confirm that the truce exists in name only. “In reality, despite the announced pause, the Israeli forces carried out a series of air strikes across Gaza,” said Al Jazeera’s correspondent, noting these attacks have left Palestinians with “a shattered sense of safety” and reinforce the belief that the Gaza deal represents merely “a tactical withdrawal rather than a genuine binding commitment.”

Further complicating the situation, Hamas has accused Israel of pushing westwards beyond the agreed “yellow line” boundary, effectively expanding its control in violation of the ceasefire terms. This has left dozens of Palestinian families besieged in northern Gaza as Israeli forces reposition deeper into the territory.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Forensic Evidence Department faces significant challenges in identifying bodies returned by Israel as part of the truce agreement. A department spokesperson reported that of 330 bodies returned, only 90 have been identified, with many showing signs of torture, mutilation, and execution. The department lacks necessary laboratories and equipment for proper identification, relying instead on forensic photography and family observations.

Source: Al Jazeera