Israel launched airstrikes in various parts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as confirmed by Palestinian authorities. The Israeli military stated that these actions were in response to ceasefire breaches by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
According to Gaza medics, one Israeli airstrike targeted a tent camp where displaced families sought refuge, leading to the deaths of at least four people. Additionally, health officials reported that another strike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of five individuals, with one more person being fatally shot in the northern region.
Among the targets was a location in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City, believed to house a commander of the Islamic Jihad group, which is aligned with Hamas.
Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas in Gaza, condemned Israel for what he described as a fresh “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, labeling it a severe violation of the ceasefire just days before the inaugural session of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
An Israeli military representative defended the airstrikes on Sunday as “precise” and complying with international laws, asserting that Hamas had repeatedly flouted a ceasefire agreement established in October.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the ceasefire pact was initiated, at least 600 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli actions, while Israel stated that four of its soldiers were killed by Gaza militants during the same period.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms, a critical component of Trump’s strategy to bring an end to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been marked by widespread casualties and destruction.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in more than 1,200 casualties according to Israeli records. Subsequently, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of over 72,000 individuals based on data from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
A notable development is the convening of Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Thursday, where the Israeli military initiated strikes in response to what they claimed was Hamas breaching the ceasefire terms near Beit Hanoun. The Israeli official mentioned that militants had crossed the agreed-upon “yellow line” into Israeli territory, which marked a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel unilaterally extended the demarcation line further into Gaza, despite withdrawals being part of the ceasefire pact. Hamas has resisted demands to disarm, a stipulation outlined in the plan, prompting Israel to consider enforcing disarmament if Hamas fails to comply.
Qassem from Hamas urged participants in Trump’s peace initiative to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire and promptly implement the agreement without delay.
Furthermore, U.S. officials disclosed plans for a significant reconstruction initiative for Gaza, alongside the proposal for a United Nations-authorized stabilization force for the region, to be unveiled during the Washington, D.C. meeting.
The Israeli military continued operations to eliminate underground tunnels in northern Gaza in alignment with the ceasefire, including strikes on a building east of the yellow line following the emergence of militants from a tunnel, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. Gaza authorities had no information on the reported casualties.
In another development, a prominent hospital in Gaza criticized Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for suspending most of its services due to security concerns related to armed individuals. The hospital clarified that it had implemented civil police for security measures.
Nasser Hospital, a critical healthcare facility in Khan Younis, has been pivotal in treating numerous patients daily, including war-wounded individuals. The hospital staff emphasized the necessity of an armed civilian police presence due to repeated attacks by masked armed groups.
Hamas maintains control in areas not under Israeli jurisdiction, including the region where Nasser Hospital is situated. However, various armed factions have emerged in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict, with some groups allegedly receiving support from the Israeli military in the controlled territories.