Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip killed five people and injured 18 others on Thursday, according to local health authorities. Medics reported that one strike on a house in Bani Suhaila resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a baby girl, and left 15 others wounded. Another strike in the nearby town of Abassan killed one man and injured three more. While Israel’s military confirmed the airstrikes, it claimed to be unaware of any casualties. Both Hamas and Israel accused each other of violating the fragile truce that has been in place for nearly six weeks.
Later that day, Nasser Hospital officials confirmed a fifth Palestinian fatality due to Israeli gunfire in Abassan. Gaza’s Health Ministry disclosed that within the past 24 hours, at least 32 people, including 12 children and eight women, had been killed – marking the highest death toll since October 29. The previous day, Israel conducted strikes across the enclave in response to attacks on its troops by members of the Palestinian militant group.
Hamas condemned the airstrikes as a dangerous escalation and called for intervention from Arab mediators, Turkey, and the United States, who brokered the ceasefire. A Hamas spokesperson accused Israel of altering markings that define areas still under Israeli occupation, violating agreed-upon maps that maintain Israeli control over more than 50% of the enclave.
Residents reported sightings of yellow barricades in the Shejaia suburb being shifted 100 meters westward, indicating changes in Israel’s controlled zones. The Israeli army was observed expanding its controlled areas in Al-Sha’af, east of Gaza City, and displacing residents from the region. As of now, there has been no response from Israeli authorities regarding the altered markings.
In Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, where ten individuals perished in a structure previously sheltering displaced families, Palestinians sifted through the debris to salvage belongings while rescue teams searched for additional victims. Amid claims of a ceasefire, skepticism prevailed among locals, with one resident expressing doubt about the proclaimed truce and condemning the attacks on civilians.
Although the ceasefire had somewhat eased tensions in the two-year conflict, sporadic violence persisted, with Hamas seeking to regain influence in the region. Concerns surfaced regarding a potential partition of the territory, while the humanitarian situation remained dire. Palestinian health officials reported 312 deaths in Gaza due to Israeli strikes since the ceasefire commenced, while Israel acknowledged the loss of three soldiers and targeted numerous militants.
The conflict in Gaza originated from a deadly militant attack by Hamas in 2023, leading to retaliatory actions by Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. The ceasefire terms included the release of hostages by Hamas and the exchange of prisoners with Israel. However, violence continued sporadically, underscoring the fragile nature of the truce.
Additionally, a Human Rights Watch report accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the forced displacement of thousands of Palestinians from West Bank refugee camps. The report called for urgent international action to hold Israeli officials accountable and prevent further violations. Israeli forces forcibly displaced around 32,000 residents from Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps, demolishing hundreds of homes and preventing displaced individuals from returning, as highlighted in the report titled “All My Dreams Have Been Erased.” Israeli military justified the demolitions as necessary to prevent militant exploitation of civilian infrastructure, without specifying a timeline for residents’ return.