Before the multi-day truce takes hold starting Friday, Israeli ground forces intensified shelling in northern Gaza...
Digital Desk: In the wake of the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza since October 7, the death toll has surged to a staggering 14,854, with 5,850 children among the casualties, as reported by CNN, citing Hamas authorities in the Strip. The figures, however, remain disputed due to the challenges in obtaining accurate data amid Israel's relentless air and ground campaign.
CNN highlighted that the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah reported 12,700 casualties on Monday, relying on sources within the Gaza Strip. Communication disruptions in Gaza further complicate the process of collecting precise data, raising concerns about the actual extent of the human toll.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, led by Martin Griffiths, affirmed the reliability of the casualty figures, emphasizing their dependence on data from Gaza. Griffiths stated, "We don't put these figures out without thought," underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As the conflict persists, Israeli ground forces intensified shelling in northern Gaza ahead of a multi-day truce scheduled to begin on Friday. The pause, slated for 7 am local time, includes the release of the first group of 13 hostages held by Hamas since October 7.
The four-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, set to commence on Friday, involves the release of civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Qatar, on Thursday, announced the release of 13 women and child captives at 4 pm local time.
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, revealed that the list of captives has been sent to the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad. The process involves confirmation of the lists, with Mossad expected to provide Qataris with details of Palestinian inmates set for release.
The planned transfer of prisoners from Damon and Megiddo jails to the Ofer prison, south of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, for final Red Cross examinations was disclosed in the report.
Earlier announcements of the ceasefire's commencement at 10 am local time on Thursday, with the release of over 50 women and children, were abruptly postponed on Wednesday. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized the fluidity of the situation, stating, "Nothing is finalized until it's actually happening."
Hagari further noted that the Israeli army continues to engage in conflict in the Gaza Strip at present, with plans for IDF soldiers to be stationed along the "truce lines" once the pause takes effect.
The conflict escalated after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, during which 2,500 terrorists breached Israel's southern border from the Gaza Strip. The incursion resulted in civilian casualties and the taking of hostages, exacerbating the already volatile situation in the region.
Hamas terrorists are believed to have seized 240 hostages during the assault, including civilians of various ages as well as Thai and Nepali nationals, according to reports. The toll on civilians, particularly the young and elderly, underscores the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
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