At least 25 Palestinians lost their lives in four Israeli air attacks on Wednesday in a section of Gaza controlled by Hamas since a ceasefire was implemented in October, according to the local Health Ministry. Medics reported that ten individuals were killed in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, two in the Shejaia suburb to the east, and the remaining casualties in two separate strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military stated that they targeted Hamas sites throughout Gaza in response to gunfire from the Palestinian militant group towards Israeli troops, violating the ceasefire that had been in place for almost six weeks. Hamas criticized the airstrikes as a dangerous escalation and called on the U.S. to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire.
An anonymous U.S. official accused Hamas of attempting to undermine the ceasefire and failing to demilitarize as agreed. Kifah Mahmoud, 58, recounted the chaos and devastation caused by the attacks on her family and others seeking shelter in a tent near Khan Younis.
The ceasefire’s fragility was highlighted by recurring incidents of violence. Both Israel and Hamas blamed each other for breaching the U.S.-brokered truce. The recent attacks exceeded the agreed-upon boundary between Israeli and Palestinian territories, targeting religious and humanitarian buildings that housed displaced families.
While the ceasefire has brought some relief to Gaza following the two-year conflict, sporadic violence persists. Palestinian health authorities reported that Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of 305 individuals in Gaza since the ceasefire began, with three Israeli soldiers killed in the same period.
In a separate development, a Gaza water company resumed operations after a staff member detained by Hamas-led security forces was released. The company confirmed the employee’s well-being and expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing their respect for the Hamas-led government.
Most of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been severely damaged, with limited access to clean water. The water company’s desalination plants play a crucial role in providing water to the population, operating multiple facilities and water distribution trucks across Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains precarious as aid efforts struggle to meet the growing needs of the population amid ongoing challenges and limited resources.