Israel conducted airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as reported by Palestinian officials. The Israeli military stated that these airstrikes were a response to ceasefire violations by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
According to Gaza medics, one Israeli airstrike targeted a tent encampment where displaced families were residing, leading to the deaths of at least four people. Additionally, health officials confirmed that another strike in Khan Younis, in the southern region, claimed the lives of five individuals, while one person was shot dead in the northern area.
Among the targets of the airstrikes was an individual believed to be a commander of the Islamic Jihad group, an ally of Hamas, in Gaza City’s Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of perpetrating a new “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, describing it as a significant violation of the ceasefire just days before the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
An Israeli military representative defended Sunday’s strikes as “precise” and compliant with international law, emphasizing that Hamas had repeatedly breached the ceasefire agreement established in October.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 600 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli actions since the ceasefire began. Conversely, Israel stated that four soldiers were killed by Gaza militants during the same timeframe.
Both Israel and Hamas have engaged in a blame game regarding breaches of the ceasefire, which is a pivotal component of Trump’s initiative to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, which has been one of the deadliest and most devastating in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted when Hamas initiated an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 casualties according to Israeli reports. Subsequently, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 72,000 individuals as per data from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
In response to Hamas’s alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement, an Israeli military official confirmed that strikes had commenced in the Beit Hanoun area. The official stated that militants had violated the ceasefire by crossing the agreed-upon “yellow line” into Israeli-controlled territory while armed.
Israel unilaterally extended the yellow line further into Gaza despite the stipulations of the ceasefire agreement, while Hamas has refused to disarm, a requirement outlined in the plan. Israel indicated its willingness to compel Hamas to disarm if the group does not comply voluntarily.
Qassem urged attendees of Trump’s Board of Peace meeting to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire terms promptly and cease violations.
The Trump administration is set to announce a substantial reconstruction plan for Gaza, along with proposals for a United Nations-endorsed stabilization force for the region during the upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Israeli military confirmed ongoing efforts to eliminate underground tunnels in northern Gaza as per the agreement. Additionally, Israeli aircraft targeted a building east of the yellow line after observing militants emerging from a tunnel, resulting in the reported deaths of at least two individuals. Gaza officials did not provide information on these casualties.
Nasser Hospital, one of the few operational large medical facilities in Gaza, condemned Doctors Without Borders’ decision to suspend most services due to security concerns related to armed individuals. The hospital emphasized that it had implemented civilian police for security purposes.
MSF cited security breaches as the reason for halting non-critical medical activities at Nasser Hospital, noting an escalation in armed individuals around the premises following the ceasefire brokered in October.
The hospital refuted MSF’s claims, stating that the increased presence of armed personnel was aimed at safeguarding patients and staff. The hospital staff highlighted the necessity of an armed civilian police force due to repeated attacks by armed groups.
While Hamas remains predominant in areas not under Israeli control, various armed groups have emerged across Gaza, including those supported by the Israeli military in the controlled region of the strip.