Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens more, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, marking a severe breach of the ceasefire that has been in place for over a month. The strikes targeted multiple areas, including a religious building in Gaza City and sites in Khan Younis, with Israel justifying the action as a response to gunfire from Palestinian militants.
On Wednesday, Israeli military operations intensified across the Gaza Strip, leading to one of the highest casualty counts since the ceasefire began on October 10. The attacks, which included air, drone, and artillery strikes, hit various locations shortly after sunset, shattering a brief period of calm and raising fears of renewed conflict. Gaza’s Civil Defence reported that the strikes caused significant damage and casualties, with rescue workers struggling to extract victims from rubble.
In the eastern Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, a strike on a ministry of religious endowments building killed ten people, including a family of five with three young children. Images from the scene showed the devastation, with bodies recovered and surrounding structures damaged. Simultaneously, in the Shejaiya area of Gaza City, a drone strike at a junction killed one person and wounded several others, while a tank shell hit a family home, resulting in another death.
In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, at least 13 people were killed in various incidents, including a strike on a group inside a sports club operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The Israeli military stated that the strikes were launched after several terrorists opened fire towards Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis, violating the ceasefire agreement. No Israeli injuries were reported in the incident.
Hamas strongly rejected the Israeli account, calling it a “transparent attempt to justify crimes” and denouncing what it termed a “dangerous escalation” that could lead to a resumption of genocide. The group appealed to the United States to enforce the ceasefire and pressure Israel to cease attacks. A US official, however, suggested that Hamas was attempting to break the ceasefire and avoid disarmament commitments.
This escalation occurs against the backdrop of recent international diplomacy, including the UN Security Council’s passage of a resolution supporting US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The resolution authorizes the creation of a Board of Peace and an International Stabilisation Force to oversee demilitarization and governance transitions. Hamas and other Palestinian groups have outright rejected the plan, asserting that it undermines Palestinian self-determination and rights.
Since the ceasefire took effect, there have been numerous violations, with Al Jazeera reporting nearly 400 Israeli breaches. The health ministry in Gaza notes that at least 280 Palestinians have been killed during the ceasefire period, contributing to a total death toll exceeding 69,500 since the war began in October 2023. The ongoing violence highlights the precarious nature of the truce and the deep-seated tensions that persist.
International experts and human rights organizations express concern that without robust enforcement, the ceasefire could collapse entirely, leading to further bloodshed. The situation is compounded by parallel Israeli strikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah facilities, which add to regional instability. As Palestinians in Gaza cope with the aftermath of the latest attacks, including 77 wounded according to health officials, the need for humanitarian aid and durable peace solutions becomes increasingly urgent.
