Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as reported by Palestinian officials. The military action was described by Israel as a response to breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
According to Gaza medics, one Israeli airstrike hit a tent encampment where displaced families were sheltering, claiming the lives of at least four people. Health officials confirmed that another strike in Khan Younis in the south killed five individuals, while one person was fatally shot in the north. Additionally, airstrikes were directed at a presumed commander of the Islamic Jihad group in Gaza City’s Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem criticized Israel for what he labeled a new “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, denouncing it as a significant violation of the ceasefire just days before the inaugural 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 been killed by Israeli actions since the ceasefire initiation, while Israel disclosed that four soldiers lost their lives to Gaza militants during the same period. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire terms, a pivotal aspect of Trump’s initiative to end the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities according to Israeli records. Subsequently, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 72,000 individuals based on data from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military stated that it continued to eliminate underground tunnels in northern Gaza and conducted 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 individuals. Hamas has been urged to disarm by Israel, failing which Israel asserts it will take necessary action to enforce disarmament.
In a separate development, Nasser Hospital in Gaza condemned Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for suspending non-critical medical operations due to security concerns related to armed individuals on the premises. The hospital emphasized that it had implemented civilian police measures to safeguard patients and staff, refuting MSF’s claims of security threats. Hamas’s dominance in the region where Nasser Hospital is situated has necessitated the presence of armed civilian police to ensure safety amid escalating tensions.
The suspension of MSF’s operations was attributed to incidents of armed men, intimidation, and arbitrary patient arrests, prompting the hospital to reinforce security measures. Despite Hamas’s control in certain territories, the proliferation of armed groups, including those supported by Israel within the controlled area, has led to heightened security risks in Gaza.
U.S. officials revealed plans for a significant reconstruction initiative for Gaza and the establishment of a United Nations-approved stabilization force during the upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C., underscoring ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and restore stability in the region.