At least 25 Palestinians have been reported killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the health ministry run by Hamas. Among the deceased, ten individuals, including a woman and a young girl, were killed when Israeli forces targeted a religious endowments ministry building in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. Rescuers reported significant destruction at the site.
The Israeli military stated that these strikes were in response to gunfire directed at its soldiers in Khan Younis, alleging that this constituted a violation of a ceasefire agreement that has been in place for five weeks. There was no immediate response from Hamas regarding these claims.
This renewed violence follows the passing of a United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at resolving ongoing conflict in the region. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Hamas-run Civil Defence, indicated that Israeli strikes also targeted several other locations in Gaza City and Khan Younis shortly after sunset.
Reports indicate intensified military action, with the Civil Defence documenting extensive damage and rescuers working to remove people trapped in debris. Additional fatalities occurred in separate incidents, including a drone strike in Gaza City and a tank shelling targeting a residential area.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that their actions were directed at identified Hamas targets and claimed that the attacks were necessary following the alleged violations of the ceasefire. The reported targets included top commanders of Hamas’s military wing.
The context of these attacks includes the recent UN Security Council resolution that sought to reinforce the ceasefire established on October 10. The resolution proposed the creation of a transitional governance body and an International Stabilisation Force to oversee the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Despite these developments, Hamas has reiterated its stance on not relinquishing its arms without a Palestinian state, while Israeli officials emphasize the need for disarmament to eliminate perceived threats.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62e27j69q9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss