Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza have killed at least 32 Palestinians in a wave of attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to local rescue and civil defence officials. The strikes took place despite an ongoing ceasefire, which both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating.
The Hamas-run civil defence agency reported that women and children were among those killed. In one of the deadliest incidents, Israeli helicopter gunships struck a tent sheltering displaced families in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza Hit Civilian Areas
Local authorities described the attacks as the heaviest since the second phase of the ceasefire came into effect earlier this month. Several residential apartments, tents, shelters, and a police station were reportedly hit during the Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
Officials at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital confirmed that an air strike destroyed a residential apartment, killing three children and two women. Images and videos from across Gaza showed buildings reduced to rubble and bodies being pulled from debris.
Israel Confirms Military Action
The Israeli military confirmed that it carried out multiple strikes, claiming they were in response to a Hamas violation of the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that eight militants were identified exiting underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah.
The IDF added that it targeted weapons storage facilities, manufacturing sites, launch areas, and several Hamas commanders during the Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
Hamas Condemns Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza
Hamas strongly condemned the attacks, accusing Israel of continuing what it described as a “brutal war of genocide” against Gaza. The group urged the United States and international community to intervene immediately to stop further Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
According to Hamas officials, seven members of one displaced family were killed in Khan Younis alone.
International Reaction to Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza
Egypt’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the strikes and urged all parties to exercise restraint. Qatar, one of the key mediators in the ceasefire talks, also denounced the repeated Israeli violations.
The United Nations and several human rights organizations have previously described casualty figures from Gaza’s health ministry as reliable and widely cited by international media.
Background of the Gaza Conflict
The war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 71,660 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. It reports that over 500 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire began.
Ceasefire Under Threat
Despite the ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violations. Analysts warn that continued Israeli air strikes in Gaza could completely derail peace efforts and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
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