At least 25 Palestinians lost their lives in four separate Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday in Gaza, which is under Hamas control following a ceasefire that began in October, according to information from the local Health Ministry. Reports from medics indicated that 10 individuals were killed in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, two in the Shejaia suburb to the east, and the remainder in two distinct attacks in Khan Younis in the southern part of Gaza.
The Israeli military disclosed that their forces targeted Hamas sites across Gaza in response to Palestinian militants firing on Israeli troops, breaching the ceasefire established nearly six weeks earlier. No Israeli personnel sustained injuries during the incidents. Hamas criticized the airstrikes as a dangerous escalation and called on the U.S. to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire and cease their attacks.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, accused Hamas of attempting to disrupt the ceasefire and failing to uphold their commitment to demilitarization, stating that such tactics would not succeed. One witness, Kifah Mahmoud, recounted the chaos and devastation caused by the attacks, describing the scene at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis where her family sought refuge.
Repeated violent incidents have highlighted the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating the U.S.-brokered truce. The recent attacks went beyond an agreed-upon boundary, causing destruction to various buildings that housed displaced families.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10 in the two-year conflict in Gaza, the situation has improved, allowing many Palestinians to return to the war-ravaged region. However, violence persists, with Palestinian health authorities reporting 305 deaths from Israeli strikes in Gaza since the truce, including a significant number in a single day when Israel retaliated for an attack on its troops. Israel confirmed the deaths of three soldiers since the ceasefire took effect.
In a separate development, a Gaza company operating water desalination plants serving a large portion of Gaza’s population resumed operations after a staff member detained by Hamas security forces was released. The company extended apologies for the misunderstanding that led to the detention and expressed respect for the Hamas-led government in Gaza.
The company’s operations are crucial in Gaza, where access to clean water is limited due to the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure. The company operates several desalination plants and a fleet of trucks distributing water containers across the territory. Israel had previously restricted water and electricity supplies to Gaza but partially eased the blockade later on.
This ongoing conflict underscores the challenges faced by the people in Gaza and the delicate balance of peace in the region.