At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across northern and central Gaza, Hamas medical and civil defense officials have reported. Five sites, including residential homes, were hit during the attack, which also resulted in the death of a senior Hamas commander.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were in response to an incident earlier on Saturday when an 'armed terrorist' allegedly fired at soldiers after crossing the so-called 'yellow line' that marks areas under Israeli control, a claim denied by Hamas.
Accusations of ceasefire violations have been exchanged between both sides, complicating an already tense situation. Reports indicate that over 310 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was implemented, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The Israeli strikes affected various regions including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat camp, with officials describing the devastation. Specific reports detail five fatalities at the Abbas junction in Rimal, as well as additional casualties from strikes on residential properties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed that the latest strikes followed a violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas, with a plea for mediators to ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms. In response, Hamas condemned the strikes as a 'blatant breach' of the agreement and called for urgent intervention from mediators and the U.S. to prevent further escalation.
This volatile situation continues to unfold as both sides brace for potential further conflict. The ongoing violence is rooted in the broader context of the Israeli military's offensive in Gaza, which commenced following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous abductions.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were in response to an incident earlier on Saturday when an 'armed terrorist' allegedly fired at soldiers after crossing the so-called 'yellow line' that marks areas under Israeli control, a claim denied by Hamas.
Accusations of ceasefire violations have been exchanged between both sides, complicating an already tense situation. Reports indicate that over 310 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was implemented, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The Israeli strikes affected various regions including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat camp, with officials describing the devastation. Specific reports detail five fatalities at the Abbas junction in Rimal, as well as additional casualties from strikes on residential properties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed that the latest strikes followed a violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas, with a plea for mediators to ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms. In response, Hamas condemned the strikes as a 'blatant breach' of the agreement and called for urgent intervention from mediators and the U.S. to prevent further escalation.
This volatile situation continues to unfold as both sides brace for potential further conflict. The ongoing violence is rooted in the broader context of the Israeli military's offensive in Gaza, which commenced following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous abductions.
