Gaza Health Ministry: 116 Martyrs and Over 490 Injured Since Ceasefire Announcement
Palestinian Health Ministry reports 116 martyrs and over 490 wounded since the ceasefire began, as Israel tightens its siege on Gaza and escalates violations.
Watan-The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Sunday that the total number of martyrs since the ceasefire with Israel took effect on January 19 has risen to 116, with more than 490 wounded.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry reported that “four martyrs and six injuries have reached Gaza hospitals since this morning due to Israeli attacks in multiple areas across the strip.”
The ministry further stated that since the ceasefire began, the total casualties stand at 116 martyrs and over 490 injuries.
Earlier on Sunday, a medical source told Anadolu Agency that an Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian woman and injured two others in Al-Farahin neighborhood east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Rafah (south Gaza), a Palestinian was killed and two others wounded by Israeli snipers east of the city, according to eyewitnesses. In northern Gaza, a medical source told Anadolu that two young Palestinian men were killed and another was injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted a group of Palestinians in Al-Masriyeen neighborhood in Beit Hanoun.
Israeli Army’s Justification
For its part, the Israeli military claimed in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that it had “spotted several suspects operating near our forces in northern Gaza, planting an explosive device in the area.” The statement added that an Israeli Air Force drone targeted the suspects to eliminate the threat.
Ceasefire Agreement and Violations
On January 19, a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel was implemented, consisting of three phases, each lasting 42 days, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with support from the United States.
However, on February 11, a Palestinian source told Anadolu that Israel had committed 269 violations of the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire agreement. These violations included military incursions, shootings, bombings, intensive aerial surveillance, abuses against Palestinian detainees, obstruction of humanitarian aid deliveries, and restrictions on reconstruction supplies.
Israel Tightens Siege on Gaza
On Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that Benjamin Netanyahu had decided to halt all goods and supplies entering Gaza as of this morning. This decision came as the first phase of the ceasefire agreement ended and Hamas rejected a proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Wietcov for a temporary truce during Ramadan.
Hamas condemned the move, calling it “cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant violation of the agreement.”
