Gaza City: At least 26 Palestinians were killed and over 36 others injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Sunday in the run-up to a ceasefire agreement in the enclave, medics said. The Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a few hours' delay due to Israeli accusations for Hamas of delaying the release of a list of captives set to be released. It was originally scheduled to start on 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT).
According to Anadolu Agency, Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal reported that six people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Israeli strikes also claimed the lives of nine people in Gaza City, three in northern Gaza, and one in the southern city of Rafah. A medical source further confirmed that seven people lost their lives when Israeli jets hit a car in central Khan Younis.
Witnesses stated that Israeli drones opened fire on Palestinians returning to their areas after the start of the ceasefire. Israeli artillery shelling was reported in Khan Younis and the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, but there were no reports of casualties. Additionally, Israeli army vehicles opened fire east of the Shujaiya and Zeitoun neighborhoods in Gaza City, as reported by an Anadolu reporter.
Hamas announced that it had already submitted a list of three female Israeli captives set to be freed on Sunday. Mediator Qatar also confirmed that the ceasefire took effect in Gaza after the names of the three captives set to be released on Sunday were handed to Israel.
Nearly 47,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to local health authorities. The conflict has resulted in more than 11,000 people missing, widespread destruction, and a humanitarian crisis, marking one of the worst global humanitarian disasters.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.