Israel kills 19 including 6 children in Gaza despite ceasefire

Israel has killed 19 people, including six children, in fresh attacks in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire. The strikes were carried out early Saturday in Gaza City and the southern area of Khan Younis, Al Jazeera reported citing medical sources.

Meanwhile, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is scheduled to reopen a day after the attacks. The crossing will become operational on Sunday for the first time since May 2024.

Gaza’s government media office said a fragile ceasefire has been in effect in Gaza since October 10 last year, mediated by the United States. Although fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas has largely stopped, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violating the agreement.

The office claimed that more than 500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations since the ceasefire came into force.

Gaza health authorities said 71,769 Palestinians have been killed and 171,483 injured in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023. Many people are still feared trapped under rubble.

Meanwhile, 1,139 people were killed in Israel in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Around 250 people were taken hostage to Gaza at that time.