Gaza’s Civil Defence has confirmed that the war has not effectively ceased despite the declared ceasefire on 10 October, noting the continued near-daily targeting of civilians, alongside a severe reduction in humanitarian aid and an ongoing blockade that is deepening civilian suffering.
Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal stated in a press briefing on Tuesday that four civilians were killed on the third day of Eid al-Fitr, three in the central governorate and one in Sheikh Radwan, northwest of Gaza City, while four others had been killed the previous Thursday.
In a related development, Gaza’s Ministry of Interior announced that three police officers were killed in an airstrike targeting a police vehicle in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Basal stressed that killings have continued since the ceasefire announcement, with almost daily violations resulting in civilian casualties, including incidents amounting to massacres that have wiped out entire families, with a significant number of children among the victims.
He added that Eid al-Fitr saw no de-escalation on the ground, with military operations continuing as they had during Ramadan. The death toll since the ceasefire has exceeded 600, with around 2,000 injured, representing a clear violation of international laws and conventions.
From a legal perspective, these actions constitute a breach of international agreements, including the Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, as well as international humanitarian law, which prohibits the direct targeting of civilians and the infliction of collective suffering through starvation and siege.
Basal further noted that the situation reflects a systematic policy of continued targeting of Palestinians, calling for an immediate halt to these practices. He emphasised that civilians had hoped for an end to the war, yet military operations, blockade measures, and restrictions persist, even as international attention shifts elsewhere.
He also highlighted the failure to implement key terms of the ceasefire agreement, particularly those related to the entry of humanitarian aid. Many families are facing catastrophic conditions due to shortages of food and essential supplies. He pointed to the severe deterioration of public services and the healthcare system, which is struggling with acute shortages of medicines and medical services, contributing to rising casualty figures.
Basal underscored that the continued closure of the Rafah crossing constitutes an additional violation against civilians, stressing that Gaza’s suffering extends beyond bombardment to include starvation, lack of medical care, and severe psychological distress.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 687 people have been killed and 1,845 injured since the ceasefire was announced, while the bodies of 756 victims have been recovered during the same period.
The ministry reported that the total death toll since 7 October 2023 has risen to 72,263, with 171,944 injured, noting that many victims remain trapped under rubble or in inaccessible areas, as rescue teams are unable to reach them.
What is unfolding in Gaza constitutes a clear case of genocide, involving killing, starvation, destruction, forced displacement, and arbitrary detention, in defiance of international law and global appeals. These actions have resulted in more than 244,000 killed and injured, most of them women and children, over 11,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands displaced, widespread famine, and the near-total destruction of entire cities and communities.
