Israel launched airstrikes in various parts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as confirmed by Palestinian authorities. The Israeli military stated that these airstrikes were a reaction to ceasefire breaches by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Reports from Gaza medics indicated that a tent encampment housing displaced families was struck by an Israeli airstrike, leading to the deaths of at least four people. Additionally, health officials mentioned that another strike in Khan Younis caused five fatalities, while one person was shot dead in the northern region. Furthermore, airstrikes targeted an individual believed to be a commander of the Islamic Jihad group in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City.
Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, Hazem Qassem, accused Israel of perpetrating a new “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, labeling it a severe violation of the ceasefire ahead of the initial meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.” In response, an Israeli military official defended the airstrikes as “precise” and compliant with international law, citing repeated violations of the October ceasefire agreement by the group.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 600 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli actions since the ceasefire agreement commenced. Conversely, Israel stated that four soldiers have been killed by Gaza militants during the same period. Both Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations regarding violations of the ceasefire, a crucial component of Trump’s initiative to resolve the conflict in Gaza, which has been one of the most lethal and damaging in the enduring Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals according to Israeli estimates. Subsequently, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have caused more than 72,000 casualties, as per data from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Ahead of the first session of Trump’s new international Board of Peace for Gaza, Qassem urged participants to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire terms promptly. U.S. officials revealed plans for a significant Gaza reconstruction initiative and the establishment of a United Nations-authorized stabilization force for the Palestinian territory at the Washington, D.C. meeting.
The Israeli military continued its efforts to eliminate underground tunnels in northern Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, conducting airstrikes on a building east of the designated yellow line after observing militants emerging from a tunnel, resulting in the deaths of at least two of them.
Nasser Hospital, a vital medical facility in Gaza, criticized Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for suspending non-critical medical operations due to security concerns related to armed individuals. The hospital emphasized the presence of civilian police for security and refuted MSF’s allegations of security breaches, stating that the armed men observed were part of a security measure to protect patients and staff.
Despite Hamas’s dominance in areas not under Israeli control, various armed factions have emerged in Gaza, including those supported by Israel’s military in the Israeli-administered region of the strip.
