Celebrations erupted in Gaza following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but these were soon overshadowed by Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 142 Palestinians in the days leading up to the ceasefire.

Despite the ceasefire, confusion persists regarding the safety of certain areas, as the Israeli military has released maps indicating dangerous zones that are not always clear on the ground.

The Israeli military defended its airstrikes, asserting that they targeted Hamas infrastructure and claimed to have taken measures to minimize civilian casualties.

Among the casualties was three-year-old As’ad Khalifa, who tragically lost his parents and sister in an Israeli airstrike less than 24 hours after the ceasefire was announced.

Neighbors, including Moutasem Dallou, worked to search for survivors under the rubble, ultimately rescuing As’ad while discovering the bodies of his parents.

Mawada Dallou, who took As’ad in, expressed the impossibility of replacing his mother or bringing her back, but committed to supporting him through this traumatic experience.

Dallou also voiced concerns about As’ad's psychological well-being, noting that he is terrified by loud sounds and deeply traumatized by the loss of his family.

On January 23, 2025, thirteen-year-old Zakariya Barbakh, who has suffered from severe respiratory issues since birth due to being born without a lung, expressed excitement about searching for a lung transplant following the ceasefire.

Tragically, less than 24 hours later, Zakariya was shot dead by an Israeli sniper in Rafah while gathering wood for cooking and heating.

His mother lamented the senselessness of his death, questioning what harm he had done to deserve such a fate.

The Israeli military stated it was unaware of the incident involving Zakariya, who was one of at least four Palestinians shot by Israeli forces since the ceasefire began.

A video of the aftermath of Zakariya's shooting circulated online, showing an attempt to drag his body before the rescuer was also shot, though he survived.