Israeli airstrikes caused the death of five individuals and injured 18 others in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Health authorities in the area reported that one strike on a residence in Bani Suhaila led to the deaths of three individuals, including a baby girl, and wounded 15 others. Another strike in the adjacent town of Abassan resulted in the death of a man and injuries to three others. Despite Israel’s military confirming the airstrikes, it claimed not to be aware of any casualties. Both Hamas and Israel accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for nearly six weeks.
Subsequently, officials at Nasser Hospital confirmed the death of a fifth Palestinian due to Israeli gunfire in Abassan. The Gaza Health Ministry disclosed that within the past 24 hours, at least 32 individuals, including 12 children and eight women, lost their lives, marking the highest death toll since October 29. Israel’s actions were prompted by Palestinian militant group members firing on its troops the day before.
Hamas condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and urged Arab mediators, Turkey, and the United States, who brokered the ceasefire, to intervene. In a later statement, a Hamas spokesperson accused Israel of altering markings delineating areas still under its control, breaching agreed-upon maps that allow Israel to retain control over more than half of the enclave’s territory.
Residents reported witnessing changes in yellow barricades in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City, suggesting that areas under Israeli control had been shifted. The Israeli army was observed expanding its controlled zones on Thursday, particularly in the Al-Sha’af area east of Gaza City. No immediate response was provided by Israeli authorities regarding these changes.
Despite the ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza City expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, particularly following a recent incident where 10 individuals were killed in a building that previously housed displaced families. The ceasefire, which began on October 10, has somewhat eased tensions, allowing Palestinians to return to their damaged homes. However, concerns persist about the territorial division within Gaza, with health authorities reporting that Israeli forces have killed 312 people in Gaza post-truce. Israel, on the other hand, stated that three of its soldiers died since the ceasefire’s initiation, justifying its actions against militants.
The conflict in Gaza stemmed from a 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants that resulted in civilian casualties and hostage-taking in southern Israel. Subsequent Israeli retaliatory measures led to a significant number of Palestinian casualties, as health officials in Gaza reported. The ceasefire terms included the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the repatriation of hostages’ remains.
Furthermore, a recent report by Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank by forcibly displacing thousands of Palestinian residents from refugee camps earlier this year. The group called for international intervention to hold Israeli officials accountable and prevent further violations. Israeli forces justified the displacements by stating the need to demolish infrastructure that could be exploited by militants, preventing the displaced residents from returning to their homes.