Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Hamas positions in Gaza on Saturday. These attacks tested the fragile ceasefire that has held since October 10. Health officials in Gaza said the strikes killed at least 24 people and injured 54 more, including children.
The renewed violence came as international pressure grows to stabilise Gaza.
UN Backs New Governance Plan
On Monday, the UN Security Council approved a US-backed plan to secure and administer Gaza. The blueprint includes an international force, a transitional authority under President Donald Trump, and a possible route to create an independent Palestinian state.
Israel has launched similar strikes in the past after reporting attacks on its troops. Earlier this week, Gaza health officials said 33 Palestinians—mostly women and children—died during a 12-hour bombardment.
Multiple Sites Hit Across Gaza
One of Saturday’s deadliest strikes hit a vehicle in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood. Rami Mhanna, managing director of Shifa Hospital, said the attack killed 11 people and wounded over 20. Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya added that most of the injured were children. Videos from the scene showed children inspecting a burnt vehicle with its roof blown apart.
Another strike targeted a house near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza, killing at least three and injuring 11. A separate blast in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed seven—including a child—and wounded 16. In Deir al-Balah, three people, including a woman, died after another strike, according to Al-Aqsa Hospital.
Residents Describe Panic and Fear
In Deir al-Balah, Khalil Abu Hatab described the chaos near his tent. “Suddenly, I heard a powerful explosion. I looked outside and saw smoke covering the entire area. I couldn’t see a thing. I covered my ears and started shouting to the others in the tent to run,” he said. He added, “When I looked again, I realised the upper floor of my neighbour’s house was gone. It’s a fragile ceasefire. This is not a life we can live. There’s no safe place.”
Israel Cites Ceasefire Violation
Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hamas fighters. According to the army, an “armed terrorist” crossed into an Israeli-held zone in southern Gaza and fired at troops. No soldiers were hurt. The military said the attacker used a road meant for humanitarian aid, calling it an “extreme violation” of the ceasefire.
Israel also reported killing five “terrorists” in Rafah and two more in the north during separate breaches into Israeli-controlled areas.
Casualties Keep Rising Despite Ceasefire
The conflict began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That assault killed around 1,200 people and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages. Most hostages, or their remains, have since been returned through ceasefire deals and other arrangements.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s retaliation has killed 69,733 Palestinians and wounded 170,863. The ministry does not divide the numbers between civilians and fighters, but says women and children make up most of the dead. Independent experts generally consider its records reliable.
Casualties continue to rise, even during the ceasefire, due to fresh strikes and bodies recovered from earlier attacks.