Gaza reports almost 500 ceasefire violations by Israel in 44 days

The Gaza Government’s press office stated this Saturday (22) that Israel had violated the ceasefire brokered by the United States 497 times in 44 days, since the agreement came into force on October 10. According to Palestinian authorities, 342 civilians were killed, including children, women and the elderly — exposing a truce that, for local residents and analysts, has become “only in name”.

Escalation of attacks and reports of humanitarian crimes

The Gaza government classified Israeli actions as “serious and systematic violations”, which would constitute a direct breach of international humanitarian law. On Saturday alone, authorities recorded 27 violations, resulting in 24 deaths and 87 injuries.

The cabinet holds Israel responsible for the humanitarian and security consequences, denouncing that the country continues to restrict the flow of humanitarian aid, food and medicine, despite the agreement providing for unrestricted access.

Furthermore, forensic laboratories said they faced “great difficulty” in identifying bodies returned by Israel. Of the 330 bodies delivered, only 90 were identified. Many show signs of torture, mutilation and execution, according to technical authorities in Gaza.

Israel’s justifications and dispute over the narrative

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the recent attacks were a response to the action of a Hamas fighter who allegedly attacked Israeli soldiers in the so-called Yellow Line, a military repositioning area provided for in the agreement.

In a statement, Israel claims to have “eliminated five high-ranking Hamas fighters.”
Hamas, however, disputes the version, demands that Israel reveal the identity of the alleged aggressor and accuses the Israeli government of creating “pretexts to resume a war of extermination”.

Izzat al-Risheq, leader of the group, stated that Israel “violates the agreement daily and systematically” and called on mediators — especially the United States — to pressure Tel Aviv to fulfill its commitments.

‘A fake ceasefire’

Al Jazeera correspondents in Gaza describe the scenario as a truce on paper only.
According to Tareq Abu Azzoum, the air attacks continued even after the ceasefire was announced, leaving the population in a state of permanent vulnerability.

“Palestinians live with a feeling of completely shattered security,” reported the journalist. “The agreement was treated as a tactical withdrawal, not a real commitment.”

Population under siege and military advance beyond the agreed line

Local authorities say that dozens of Palestinian families are besieged in northern Gaza after Israel advanced beyond the Yellow Line, repositioning troops within the territory and modifying, in practice, the limits set out in the truce.

Residents report that Israeli soldiers control entire areas and continue to shoot at Palestinians who approach the border region — a common practice before the agreement.

Political impasse, humanitarian pressure and risk of collapse

While Gaza demands international accountability, the agreement’s mediators face the collapse of the truce through successive violations and counterattacks. Continuing restrictions on the entry of essential supplies exacerbates the risk of humanitarian collapse in an already devastated territory.

With reports of executions, military advances and daily deaths, the ceasefire is entering a critical phase — and calls from Palestinian authorities for international intervention are becoming increasingly urgent.