The ongoing Middle Eastern conflict has been the top topic of conversation since it began on October 7, 2023. Disinformation, posts with fake news, etc., have flooded social media platforms since then.
Even when the possibility of a ceasefire was being discussed, people warned about Hamas violating it.
Now that the ceasefire has gone into effect on Friday, November 23, 2023, at 7 a.m. local time, many are saying that Hamas has broken it. So, is it true?
As per a November 24, 2023, NPR report, Hamas and Israel are blaming each other for breaking the ceasefire. Israel’s military has accused Hamas of launching rockets toward them 15 minutes into the truce. But the Gaza health ministry said that 30 people were wounded and two killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza since the truce began.
Has Hamas Broken the Ceasefire?
Going on social media platforms and searching for factual answers regarding the ceasefire and hostage exchange is futile. Emotions are running high for supporters of both sides, and misinformation is rife.
One side claims that Hamas has broken the ceasefire established on November 23, 2023, while another side is adamant that it is Israel who has not stopped its rampage.
A November 24, 2023, article by NPR said that Hamas and Israel are blaming each other for breaking the ceasefire. Israel’s military has reported that 15 minutes into the temporary truce, Hamas launched rockets towards them.
They also stated that Israeli forces haven’t retaliated. On the other hand, the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry has informed that 30 people have been wounded and two have been killed by Israeli soldiers who opened fire a few hours after the truce began.
NPR reported that the Israeli military was checking the reports and stated that any shooting would be a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.
This shootout allegedly happened because earlier Friday, in the initial hours of the ceasefire, crowds of Palestinians were seen pouring into the streets in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
During this ceasefire, some Palestinians in southern Gaza tried to return to their homes for the first time since the start of the conflict.
How Is the Ceasefire Going?
In the 2023 Israel and Hamas ceasefire, both sides agreed to a four-day break in fighting, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. The ceasefire agreement states that 50 hostages held in Gaza will be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners captured in Israel.
The ceasefire began on November 23, 2023, but the exchange of hostages started on November 24, 2023. As of writing, Hamas has released 24 hostages, and the other side, Israel, has released 39 Palestinian captives.
No Americans were freed on the first day of hostage exchange. Instead, on the released list of Hamas were ten people from Thailand, one from the Philippines, and 13 Israeli children and women. The youngest of the lot was a 2-year-old Israeli child.
It’s believed that Hamas is holding more than 200 hostages. Many have taken the ceasefire as a positive sign of things to come since getting humanitarian aid into Gaza is one of the prime targets. But others are upset that people can’t return to their homes yet.
However, it doesn’t look like Israel is planning on stopping anytime soon. As per USA Today:
“Israel has vowed to resume its offensive after the truce, though Biden has expressed hope for an extension of the truce.”
As per Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 12,000 Palestinians have been killed, with many more buried under the rubble.
What do you think of the continuous misinformation around the Israel-Palestine conflict on social media? Do you feel there has been any fake news surrounding the ongoing conflict?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: NPR
