At least 32 people have been killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to local authorities. The civil defence agency, which is operated by Hamas, states that children and women were among those killed, with one attack reportedly targeting a tent sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis. Palestinians are describing these strikes as the heaviest since the second phase of a ceasefire agreement, brokered by US President Trump, came into effect in early January.
The Israeli military confirmed that the strikes were conducted in response to a violation of the truce, claiming to have targeted identified Hamas operatives. The IDF noted operations included targeting a weapons storage facility, a weapons manufacturing site, and Hamas launch sites across the central Gaza Strip.
Both sides have exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement, with Hamas condemning the strikes and urging the US to intervene, claiming that these actions constitute ongoing violations of their humanitarian rights. The strikes not only hit military targets but also reportedly residential apartments and a police station, leading to multiple civilian casualties.
Reports from Gaza City's Shifa hospital confirm that three children and two women were killed in one of the airstrikes. Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the affected areas highlighted the devastating impact, showcasing bodies being removed from rubble amid widespread destruction.
The strikes occur as the Rafah crossing, Gaza's border with Egypt, is set to reopen on the weekend, raising further concerns about humanitarian aid and the condition of displaced families.
The international community, including Egypt and Qatar, has condemned the attacks and called for restraint from all parties involved, urging an end to the escalating violence as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli military confirmed that the strikes were conducted in response to a violation of the truce, claiming to have targeted identified Hamas operatives. The IDF noted operations included targeting a weapons storage facility, a weapons manufacturing site, and Hamas launch sites across the central Gaza Strip.
Both sides have exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement, with Hamas condemning the strikes and urging the US to intervene, claiming that these actions constitute ongoing violations of their humanitarian rights. The strikes not only hit military targets but also reportedly residential apartments and a police station, leading to multiple civilian casualties.
Reports from Gaza City's Shifa hospital confirm that three children and two women were killed in one of the airstrikes. Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the affected areas highlighted the devastating impact, showcasing bodies being removed from rubble amid widespread destruction.
The strikes occur as the Rafah crossing, Gaza's border with Egypt, is set to reopen on the weekend, raising further concerns about humanitarian aid and the condition of displaced families.
The international community, including Egypt and Qatar, has condemned the attacks and called for restraint from all parties involved, urging an end to the escalating violence as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
