Hospitals in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians on Saturday, marking one of the highest casualties since the ceasefire agreement came into effect in October. Following accusations by Israel of ceasefire violations by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, strikes targeted various locations in Gaza, including an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis.
The victims of the strikes included two women and six children from different families. Additionally, an airstrike hit a police station in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and injuring others, as confirmed by Dr. Mohamed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital.
The Israeli military stated that it targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders and sites in response to what they deemed a breach of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Hamas, controlling a portion of Gaza, claimed that Israel had violated the truce but did not specify if any of its members or sites were struck in the attacks on Saturday.
Images revealed severe damage to buildings, with charred walls and scattered debris in Gaza City streets. The strikes raised concerns as the death toll in Gaza continues to climb despite the ceasefire in place.
Furthermore, Nasser Hospital reported that the strike on the tent camp led to a fatal fire, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including a father, his three children, and three grandchildren. Meanwhile, Al-Shifa Hospital disclosed that the apartment building strike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of three children, their aunt, and grandmother, while the police station strike killed at least 14 officers, including four policewomen and inmates.
The series of strikes occurred before the scheduled opening of the Rafah crossing near the Egyptian border in Gaza, a critical lifeline for Gaza residents in need of medical treatment outside the territory. The reopening of borders is a crucial step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which includes demilitarization efforts and the establishment of a new governing body for reconstruction oversight.
According to Gaza health officials, Israeli attacks have claimed over 500 lives, predominantly civilians, since the ceasefire agreement was implemented in October, ending years of conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Palestinian militants have also been engaged in hostilities, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers after the ceasefire. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce, complicating efforts to advance the ceasefire deal to bring a permanent end to the conflict.
The next phase of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan involves challenging issues such as Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the potential deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, despite increasing global support for the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.
