At least 22 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in recent Israeli air strikes across northern and central Gaza, as stated by Hamas medical and civil defense officials. They noted that five sites, including residential homes, were targeted, with a senior Hamas commander among the deceased according to local accounts.
The Israeli military indicated it conducted these strikes in response to an incident where an individual termed an “armed terrorist” allegedly opened fire at soldiers after crossing into areas designated under Israeli control. Hamas has denied the claims regarding this incident. Both parties have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire agreement established six weeks ago.
Since the ceasefire began, more than 310 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli strikes, based on reports from Gaza’s health ministry. Saturday’s air strikes reportedly struck locations including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat camp. Witnesses described an Israeli attack setting a vehicle ablaze at the Abbas junction in the Rimal area, which resulted in five fatalities.
Additional reports indicated three deaths near a mosque in Deir al-Balah, alongside strikes in Nuseirat that accounted for the deaths of three people in the Abu Amouneh family’s home and seven in another belonging to the Abu Shawish family. Further casualties were reported in western Gaza City later on Saturday.
In response to the strikes, an official statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by sending a terrorist into Israeli territory. Netanyahu’s office remarked that five senior Hamas figures were eliminated in the operation and urged mediators to ensure compliance from Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hamas characterized the Israeli military’s recent actions as a “blatant breach” of the ceasefire and has called for urgent intervention from mediators and the U.S., asserting that Israel is attempting to change the situation on the ground.
The Israeli military’s actions follow a significant offensive that commenced after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry claims that around 69,500 individuals have died in Israeli attacks, including 280 during the ceasefire.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20879zzqn8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss