Authorities in the Gaza Strip say that at least 97 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered into force earlier this month, highlighting growing concerns over the durability of the ceasefire deal.
The casualty figure was published by the region’s media office on Telegram, stating that the number of deaths has reached 97 and that the Israel has committed a total of 80 violations of the ceasefire since the agreement; including 19 October Israeli Airstrikes on Rafah.
While the figure has not been independently verified by UN-agencies, it underscores how tense the situation remains despite the ceasefire having been announced.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, came into effect in early October following more than two years of continued hostilities towards the people of Gaza.
It included significant undertakings such as the release of living Israeli hostages by Hamas, and the freeing of thousands of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
In their statement, Gaza officials said the violations ranged from “direct gunfire against civilians, deliberate shelling and targeting operations, as well as the arrest of a number of civilians” adding that the figures are likely to rise as more information becomes available.
One Palestinian family of eleven was cited by media as being killed, including seven children and three women; the family were reportedly near a “yellow line” demarcation between Israeli forces and remaining Hamas positions.
On the Israeli side, the military says it is responding to attacks on its forces and allegations of ceasefire breaches by Hamas.
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Hamas fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at troops operating in the Rafah area of Gaza, prompting “significant strikes” in response. Hamas denied the accusation.
The Israeli government has also made clear that the key Rafah crossing with Egypt will remain closed until Hamas hands over the bodies of deceased hostages, a stipulation seen as a pressure tactic to the truce’s implementation. Hamas says, Israeli airstrikes, will hamper the process of finding deceased Israeli hostages under the rubble.
Humanitarian agencies say the situation remains extremely precarious. Aid flows into Gaza were restricted a day after the ceasefire went live, and though some shipments are expected to resume, thousands of civilians are still trapped amid destroyed building’s rubbles, lacking sufficient food, medical supplies and shelter.
The dual narrative of violations and enforcement underscores how fragile this so-called “ceasefire” in fighting really is. UN-linked analysts caution that such early damages can ignite a full resumption of war if left unchecked. One such official told reporters: “To see the devastation, this is a vast part of the city, just a wasteland … a massive job.”
Meanwhile, Hamas continues to assert its obedience to the ceasefire terms despite Israel’s allegations. A senior Hamas official, Izzat al‑Rishq, said: “We remain fully committed, and we reject the idea we are planning imminent attacks.”
As mediators scramble to preserve the truce, key outstanding issues remain: the full recovery of hostages’ remains, the reopening of border crossings for aid, the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza, and the stabilisation of governance in the enclave. With Israel’s airstrikes and the death toll mounting, the window for preserving the ceasefire appears narrow.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, The Guardian, Sarawak Daily
