Israel kills 21 children in Gaza after ceasefire deal

The Israeli attacks in Gaza claimed the lives of at least 87 innocent civilians, with 21 children and 25 women among the dead, despite the announcement of a ceasefire deal that is intended to bring relief and hope for displaced Palestinians.

At least 40 of the deceased were killed since dawn on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) shared a report that stated an average of 15 children suffered wounds that led them to lifelong disabilities.

However, medical care remains largely unavailable in Gaza, and only three out of 22 healthcare facilities of UNRWA are operational amidst a severe shortage of essential commodities and medicine.

Moreover, Al Jazeera quoted Israeli media that stated the ruling party Likud issued a statement that denied the ceasefire deal constitutes an end to the war against Hamas in Gaza. 

“Contrary to [National Security Minister] Ben-Gvir’s comments, the existing deal allows Israel to return to fighting under American guarantees, receive the weapons and means of warfare it needs, maximise the number of living hostages that will be released, maintain full control of the Philadelphia Route [on the Egyptian border] and the security buffer that surrounds the entire Gaza Strip, and achieve dramatic security achievements that will ensure Israel’s security for generations,” The Times of Israel quoted the Likud party's statement as saying.

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 46,788 Palestinians and wounded 110,453 civilians since October 7, 2023. Hamas-led attacks in Israel claimed the lives of 1,139 people, with over 200 taken captive.