Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip’s Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 18 others, as reported by local health authorities on Thursday. Medics indicated that one strike on a house in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, claimed the lives of three individuals, including a baby girl, and wounded 15 others. Another strike in the nearby town of Abassan killed a man and injured three others. Israel’s military acknowledged the strikes but stated it was unaware of casualties. Both Hamas and Israel accused each other of violating the existing truce. Additionally, Nasser Hospital officials later reported a fifth Palestinian killed by Israeli gunfire in Abassan.
Gaza’s Health Ministry disclosed that at least 32 individuals were killed in the past 24 hours, including 12 children and eight women, marking the highest toll since October 29. Israel had conducted strikes across Gaza on Wednesday after Palestinian militants fired on its troops.
Hamas condemned the airstrikes as a dangerous escalation and called on Arab mediators, Turkey, and the United States, who brokered the ceasefire, to intervene. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of altering markings defining the areas it still occupies, in violation of agreed-upon maps. This alteration purportedly allowed Israel to control over 50% of the enclave’s territory.
Residents observed changes in markings, particularly yellow barricades in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City, indicating areas under Israeli control had been shifted westward. Witnesses reported the Israeli army expanding its controlled zones, displacing residents from the Al-Sha’af area east of Gaza City.
Palestinians in Gaza City’s Zeitoun suburb expressed skepticism over the claimed ceasefire, citing ongoing violence. As of Thursday, Hamas seeks to reinforce its position amid concerns of territorial division and dire living conditions. Palestinian health authorities reported 312 people killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the truce began, with Israel confirming three soldier casualties and targeting numerous fighters.
The conflict in Gaza originated when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel in 2023, resulting in Israeli retaliatory actions. The ceasefire, initiated on October 10, 2025, has partially mitigated the conflict, allowing Palestinians to return to damaged areas. However, violence persists, with concerns raised about the situation in Gaza and the toll on civilians.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas released living hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The report also highlighted Israel’s expulsion of thousands of Palestinians from West Bank refugee camps in early 2025 as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, urging international accountability measures.
The Human Rights Watch report accused Israel of forcibly displacing thousands of Palestinians and demolishing homes in the West Bank, calling for urgent intervention to address violations and prevent further abuses.
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