Agreements Fail to Halt Israeli Attacks on Gaza, Eight Dead in Latest Strikes
Eight Palestinian citizens, including two children, were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday (2/8), despite the announcement of an agreement to implement the next phase of a ceasefire plan.
Medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, reported that three Palestinians were killed and three others injured when an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment in the Al-Qarara area, northwest of the city. According to witnesses, the strike hit the Al-Hams family apartment, killing Mahmoud Zaki Al-Hams (38), his wife Fatima Al-Hams (37), and their young daughter. The bodies were subsequently transported to the hospital.
Local sources also reported that Israeli artillery bombarded the Dar Al-Salam area in central Khan Younis, though no casualties have been reported from that specific strike so far.
In central Gaza, Kamal Abu Muailiq (68) and his wife, Huda (59), were killed after an Israeli helicopter attacked their home in the Al-Mashaala area, west of Deir al-Balah, according to medical sources and witnesses.
In Gaza City, another Israeli strike targeted an apartment in the Al-Sousi Tower near the harbour area. This attack killed three Palestinians: Abdullah Abu Taif (33), his wife Abeer Anan (29), and their five-year-old son, Azzam, according to medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital. Another Palestinian was injured in a separate strike targeting an apartment near the Palestine Mosque in the Al-Nasr neighbourhood of western Gaza City.
Separately, Israeli military vehicles opened fire towards the eastern part of the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City. No casualties have been reported from this incident as of yet.
Amidst the ongoing violence, Hamas and Palestinian factions have reportedly agreed to begin the inventory and surrender of heavy weapons in Gaza as part of a full disarmament agreement. However, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad emphasised that disarmament is contingent upon the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the reconstruction of Gaza in accordance with the agreement.
These developments occur against the backdrop of the implementation of Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the formation of an International Security Force (ISF). The United States has warned Israel to adhere to the 20-point reconstruction plan for Gaza, with indications that the Trump administration would be deeply disappointed if Tel Aviv were to obstruct the implementation of the agreement.