Barely hours after a ceasefire deal was announced to end the two-year genocidal war, Gaza was shaken by fresh waves of aerial bombardment. The strikes, targeting Gaza City and northern districts, came as Palestinians across the Strip were preparing to welcome a long-awaited pause to hostilities. The timing has cast serious doubt on whether the agreement will be respected or even fully implemented.

According to Gaza rescue officials, the bombardment began shortly after the announcement of a ceasefire framework reached in Egyptian-mediated talks. The proposed agreement includes the withdrawal of occupying forces, entry of humanitarian aid, and an exchange of prisoners, and was hailed by its Palestinian negotiators as a hard-won victory for the resilience of the besieged population. Yet for civilians, the strikes have rekindled the fear that the ceasefire may be little more than a pause in a war without end. “We were hoping for relief,” said one resident, “but instead we are back under fire.”

For many, the strikes underline a grim reality: in Gaza, even agreements can collapse under the weight of mistrust and broken promises. Humanitarian workers have urged immediate action to enforce the ceasefire, warning that further delays will cost more lives. Palestinian leaders, while condemning the attacks, insisted that the deal reflects their people’s unity and sacrifice, and vowed to press for its full realisation despite the renewed violence. The episode leaves Gaza’s battered population caught between fragile hope and the harsh reality of continued devastation.