Following a 5-day aggravation at least 33 civilians have been killed during continuous air strikes in Gaza. This was at least the 11th violent battle between Israel and Palestinian fighters since 2006. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant Islamic Jihad group officially came into effect on Saturday night. This compromise was meant to end the worst chapter of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021. Israel killed three Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza and at least 10 civilians including several children in surprise pre-dawn air strikes on the 9th of May. The International Community has denounced the escalating violence and attacks on civilians.

The truce was mostly upheld, apart from a short exchange of fire. Israeli military said that a Palestinian rocket was fired into an open area near Gaza on Sunday evening, but it did not cause any damage. Palestinian officials said that Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 100 houses last week and damaged 900 more.

According to UNICEF, nearly 100 children were killed and at least 750 were injured in the past two years. “Children across the State of Palestine and Israel have been forced to endure a seemingly endless cycle of hostilities, many with nowhere safe to turn” – said a representative. Children and young people exposed to such violence will suffer irreparable mental health damages. 

Speaking at the Regina Coeli prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis mourned the innocent people who have been killed, including women and children. He also implored peace and prayed that a ceasefire might hold.

“May weapons be silenced, because arms can never obtain security and stability. Rather, they only succeed in destroying any hope for peace”.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/