GAZA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since dawn on Sunday, despite announcements of progress in efforts to implement a ceasefire agreement.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that Israeli drones and helicopters had carried out more than 10 airstrikes since the early hours of the morning in various parts of the enclave.
The strikes targeted residential apartments, tents sheltering displaced people, civilian vehicles, and Palestinian gatherings from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people, including four children and two women, said Basal.
Local sources said that among the dead were Kamal Abu Mu'ailiq, a Hamas commander, and his wife, who were killed when their apartment in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah was targeted.
In a press statement, Hamas called on the mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to assume their responsibilities, condemn these "Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people," and to take immediate action to pressure Israel to cease its aggression in accordance with the agreement.
On Friday, Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said that Hamas agreed to the "latest version of the roadmap" for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement after "fierce" negotiations.
Israeli attacks have killed 1,230 people since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025, bringing the total death toll in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, to 73,356, according to Gaza's health authorities. ■
