DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – On Saturday, Israel's military launched airstrikes against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation in violence amid a tenuous ceasefire that began on October 10. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office reported the death of five senior Hamas members due to the strikes, while health officials in Gaza reported at least 24 fatalities and 54 injuries, including children.
The airstrikes were initiated in response to gunfire directed at Israeli troops. This action followed a growing international consensus regarding Gaza, highlighted by the U.N. Security Council's approval of a U.S. plan aimed at securing and governing the territory. This plan includes an international stabilization force for security purposes and proposes a transitional authority overseen by then-President Donald Trump, envisioning a potential pathway to an independent Palestinian state.
Historically, Israel has retaliated with airstrikes following reported attacks on its forces during ceasefire periods. Previous incidents saw over 33 Palestinians killed during a 12-hour span earlier in the week, predominantly women and children, as reported by health officials.
In a striking incident on Saturday, a missile targeted a vehicle in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood, resulting in 11 deaths and over 20 injuries, with many of the injured being children. Video footage showed children examining the wreckage of the vehicle, which had been severely damaged in the strike. Additional strikes targeted residences in various locations in central Gaza, including the Al-Awda Hospital vicinity, where at least three people were killed, and another homes in Nuseirat camp, leading to further casualties.
Witnesses described the horrific aftermath of the strikes. Khalil Abu Hatab from Deir al-Balah recounted, "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 expressed his despair over the fragile nature of the ceasefire, stating, "There’s no safe place."
Israel's military justified the airstrikes, alleging that they targeted Hamas following an incident where an "armed terrorist" crossed into an Israeli-held area and opened fire on troops. They deemed this an "extreme violation" of the ceasefire. In connected military operations, Israel claimed to have killed 11 "terrorists" in the Rafah area and apprehended six others attempting to escape from an underground structure. Additionally, two individuals were reported killed as they crossed into Israeli-held territories in northern Gaza.
Despite Israel's ongoing military presence in over half of Gaza, Hamas officials accused Israel of fabricating excuses to abandon the ceasefire agreement and resume hostilities. A senior member of Hamas, Izzat al-Rishq, implored U.S. and international mediators to compel Israel to adhere to the ceasefire.
The conflict escalated following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Most hostages or their remains have been recovered through ceasefires or negotiations, but details remain unclear about three hostages still reported in Gaza.
In Tel Aviv, demonstrators gathered on Saturday night, demanding a state commission of inquiry regarding the government's response to the October 7 attack. Rafi Ben Shitrit, father of a soldier killed in the attack, criticized the government's failure to protect citizens and military personnel alike.
The Gaza Health Ministry currently reports a staggering toll of 69,733 Palestinians killed and 170,863 injured as a result of Israel's retaliatory campaign. These figures have continued to rise during the ceasefire due to fresh Israeli airstrikes and ongoing recovery efforts in previously affected areas. While the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it has indicated that women and children form the majority of casualties, with records generally regarded as reliable by independent analysts.
