GAZA CITY, Palestine

The head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) on Sunday called the death of Palestinian civilians in Israeli attacks in the enclave “excruciating,” demanding adherence to the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement.

“The loss of life in Gaza over the past few days is excruciating—our condolences to the families who are grieving,” Ali Shaath said on the US social media company X.

At least 37 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, in violation of a ceasefire deal that has been in effect since Oct. 10, 2025.

“We call on all sides to uphold the ceasefire,” Shaath said. “NCAG is committed with partners to prevent further incidents and protect civilians.”

He did not specify when the committee would start operating from inside the Gaza Strip.

“The path forward must be one of restraint, responsibility, and respect for civilian life,” he said.

NCAG is a non-political body tasked with managing daily civil service affairs. It consists of 11 Palestinian national figures, in addition to Shaath. The committee began its work in Egypt in mid-January but has not yet started operating from inside Gaza.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks, killing 524 people and injuring 1,360 others since October 10, according to Gaza’s media office.

The agreement ended a two-year Israeli war that killed nearly 71,800 Palestinians and wounded more than 171,400. The assault has destroyed roughly 90% of the civilian infrastructure in Gaza, with UN estimates placing reconstruction costs at about $70 billion.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.