Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel intensified attacks on Gaza on Thursday amid last-minute wrangling over a ceasefire agreement, with more than 70 Palestinians killed in the enclave since the deal was announced on Wednesday night.
At least 66 were killed in Gaza city, seven in Khan Younis and four in the central governorate, Gaza's civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal said in a statement. Among the dead were 21 children and 25 women, while more than 200 other Gazans were injured, he added.
The violence came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of creating a “last-minute crisis”. He delayed a meeting of his cabinet, which has to approve the agreement.
“Hamas is backing out of the explicit understandings agreed upon with the mediators and Israel in a last-minute blackmail attempt,” a statement from his office said.
Hamas senior official Ezzat Al Rishq said the group was committed to the deal.
“Israel is racing against time to kill as many Palestinians as possible before the ceasefire comes into effect, as their goal is death and destruction,” said Ahmed Aloush, 26. A home belonging to his relatives was struck overnight in the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza city.
He said a residential area was hit by shelling, with homes destroyed. More than 20 people were killed and some are trapped under rubble, he added.
“We were stunned because they are known to keep to themselves and have no connections to any factions or organisations,” Mr Aloush said. “People were safe in their homes, sleeping after feeling reassured by the ceasefire, but Israeli brutality knows no bounds.”
In Al Daraj neighbourhood of Gaza city, Ahmad Mushtaha, 31, said relief over news of a ceasefire was mixed with fear after further Israeli bombing across the enclave.
“A large number of our neighbours and the family members were injured, and terror filled our hearts,” he told The National. “We had just celebrated the ceasefire, hoping the bombing, death and destruction would ease. But this is Israel’s way – killing until the very last moment. People can’t even celebrate because they’re scared – scared to move too much, fearing they might die.”
The ceasefire agreement is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, bringing a pause to the deadliest war in Gaza's history.
Israel's security cabinet was meant to meet on Thursday morning to approve the agreement, with Mr Netanyahu widely expected to have enough support to pass it. But the meeting was postponed, with Mr Netanyahu saying it would not take place “until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement”.
The three-phase deal would involve Israeli hostages being exchanged for detained Palestinians in phases, with the Israeli military to withdraw.
But far-right politicians in Israel have doubled down on their opposition to the deal, with many advocating continuing the war with the aim of destroying Hamas.
On Thursday, Palestinians in Gaza city said there was little sign that a ceasefire was imminent. Mohammed Jundiya, 29, in the Shujaiya neighbourhood, said a bomb hit a nearby home during the night, killing 10.
“By morning, there were more bombings around us, followed by even more, and we could hear the sounds of destruction every minute,” he told The National. “All these people were following the news of the ceasefire, hoping it would happen, and looking forward to Sunday to finally celebrate and live after all the suffering. But the occupation decided to kill them at the very last moment.”
