A deadly Israeli strike on the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday has intensified fears that attempts to restore calm are collapsing, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the genocidal war. The attack, which took place during one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar ahead of Eid al-Adha, left further casualties in an enclave already devastated by months of bombardment, displacement and severe shortages of food and medical supplies.

Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, said the killings reflected what he described as Israel’s disregard for ongoing mediation efforts and repeated calls for a lasting ceasefire. He argued that the continued military escalation demonstrated a lack of commitment to diplomatic initiatives backed by regional mediators and international actors attempting to halt the genocide in Gaza.

Qassem also criticised the international community for what he called continued silence in the face of repeated violations and mounting civilian deaths. He said the timing of the strike, coinciding with the Day of Arafah observed by Muslims around the world, added to the sense of outrage among Palestinians, many of whom see the continued attacks during major religious occasions as further evidence of collective punishment amid the ongoing genocidal war.