Gaza Conflict: Death Toll Rises to 137 as Israel’s Attacks Continue
GAZA CITY (Palestine), March 12 (Bernama-Anadolu) – At least 137 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza in January, local authorities reported on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Israel’s Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
Salama Marouf, the head of Gaza’s government media office, accused Israel of deliberately intensifying its attacks on Palestinians over the past 10 days in violation of the ceasefire deal. "The latest of these crimes was an Israeli airstrike targeting a group of citizens in central Gaza, killing five, including two brothers, raising the total number of martyrs since the ceasefire began to 137," Marouf said.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
According to witnesses, an Israeli drone struck a group of Palestinians near a destroyed house in the Netzarim area, close to Gaza City’s southeastern border, killing five people. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor put the death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire at 145 people, with 605 others injured.
Systematic Attacks and Blockade
Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days, with 605 others injured, according to the Geneva-based group. Since the agreement went into force, "Israel has used the blockade and starvation as tools of slow-kill tactics in the genocide of Gaza’s population," the group said in a statement.
Rights Group Condemns Israeli Attacks
The monitor’s field team documented continued Israeli attacks, including "sniper fire, drone strikes, and quadcopter attacks on Palestinian civilians, particularly those attempting to check on their homes near the buffer zone Israel imposed along Gaza’s northern and eastern borders." The rights group condemned "systematic Israeli attacks," stating that they have persisted "without military justification despite the cessation of hostilities," as stipulated in the agreement.
Genocidal Policies and Siege
The monitor accused Israel of escalating "genocidal policies" by imposing increasingly deadly living conditions that lead to systematic and slow killings through a total blockade preventing the entry of essential supplies and humanitarian aid. It warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe due to the ongoing siege, warning that "markets are running out of goods and many aid centres and charity kitchens have shut down since border crossings were closed on March 2."
Conclusion
The death toll in Gaza continues to rise as Israel’s attacks persist, despite the ceasefire agreement. The humanitarian crisis worsens, with Palestinians facing starvation, dehydration, and lack of access to basic necessities. The international community must take immediate action to halt the genocide in Gaza, lift the blockade, and provide humanitarian aid to the affected population.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire agreement took effect?
A: At least 137 Palestinians have been killed.
Q: What is the current death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza?
A: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor puts the death toll at 145 people, with 605 others injured.
Q: What are the rights group’s concerns about the situation in Gaza?
A: The group is concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis, the systematic attacks, and the blockade that is leading to slow-kill tactics in the genocide of Gaza’s population.
Q: What is the International Criminal Court’s stance on the situation?
A: The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Q: What is the International Court of Justice’s stance on the situation?
A: Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on the enclave.