Israeli airstrikes targeted the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as confirmed by Palestinian officials. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were a response to violations of a ceasefire by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Reports from Gaza medics indicated that a tent encampment housing displaced families was hit by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in the deaths of four people. Additionally, five individuals were killed in Khan Younis in the south, and one person was shot dead in the north in separate strikes. A targeted attack in Gaza City’s Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood was believed to have hit an Islamic Jihad group commander, an ally of Hamas.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, condemned Israel for what he referred to as a new “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, describing it as a severe breach of the ceasefire just days before the upcoming meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
An Israeli military official defended the airstrikes on Sunday, stating that they were precise and compliant with international law. The official cited repeated violations of an October ceasefire agreement by the Palestinian groups.
Since the initiation of the ceasefire deal, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 600 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli actions, while Israel reported the deaths of four soldiers in Gaza during the same period. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement, a crucial component of Trump’s efforts to resolve the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 72,000 individuals, according to data from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Ahead of the first meeting of Trump’s international Board of Peace for Gaza, Qassem urged attendees to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire and implement the agreement promptly. U.S. officials revealed plans for a significant Gaza reconstruction initiative and the establishment of a United Nations-authorized stabilization force for the Palestinian enclave during the upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Israeli military confirmed its ongoing efforts to dismantle underground tunnels in northern Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire terms. They reported targeting militants emerging from a tunnel, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. However, Gaza officials had no immediate information on these reported casualties.
In another development, Nasser Hospital, one of the few operational large hospitals in Gaza, criticized the decision by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to suspend most of its services due to security concerns related to armed individuals. The hospital emphasized that it had taken measures to enhance security by deploying civilian police.
Regarding the suspension of operations at Nasser Hospital, MSF cited increased security risks following the ceasefire agreement brokered in October. The organization accused the hospital of allowing armed individuals into its premises, prompting concerns for the safety of their teams and patients.
Nasser Hospital staff clarified that the increased presence of armed individuals was part of a security arrangement to safeguard patients and personnel. They refuted MSF’s allegations as inaccurate and irresponsible, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for medical operations.
The hospital, situated in Khan Younis, has been a vital healthcare facility in Gaza, treating numerous patients, including war-wounded individuals. It also played a crucial role in the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in exchange for Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Amid ongoing tensions, armed groups, including those supported by Israel, have emerged in Gaza, complicating the security landscape in the region. Hamas continues to exert control over areas outside Israeli jurisdiction, including the vicinity where Nasser Hospital is located.
