At least 25 Palestinians lost their lives in four Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday in a region of Gaza controlled by Hamas under a ceasefire that started in October, as reported by the local Health Ministry. Medics confirmed that among the casualties, 10 were in the Gaza City suburb of Zeitoun, two in the Shejaia suburb to the east, and the remainder in two separate strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military responded by targeting Hamas locations across Gaza after members of the Palestinian militant group fired at Israeli troops, breaching the ceasefire that had been in place for almost six weeks. Hamas criticized the airstrikes as a dangerous escalation and called on the U.S. to press Israel to adhere to the ceasefire terms and halt the attacks.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, accused Hamas of attempting to disrupt the ceasefire and not fulfilling its promise to demilitarize, stating that such tactics would not succeed. Kifah Mahmoud, a witness to the tragic events, described the chaos and devastation caused by the sudden attacks in Khan Younis.
The ceasefire’s fragility was exposed by repeated incidents of violence, with Israel and Hamas blaming each other for violations of the U.S.-brokered truce, part of President Donald Trump’s post-war plan for Gaza. The recent attacks crossed a designated “yellow line” separating the areas under Israeli and Palestinian control, according to reports from medics, witnesses, and Palestinian media.
The airstrikes targeted significant locations, including a building owned by Muslim religious authorities in Zeitoun and a United Nations-managed facility in Khan Younis, both serving as shelters for displaced families. Despite the ceasefire easing the conflict and allowing Palestinians to return to Gaza, violence has persisted, resulting in numerous casualties.
The article also highlighted the release of a utility worker detained by Hamas, enabling a water desalination company in Gaza to resume operations. The company expressed regret for the misunderstanding that led to the detention and reaffirmed its respect for the Hamas-led government in Gaza. Hamas officials declined to comment on the incident.
The water and electricity supply blockade imposed by Israel during the conflict in 2023 had severe consequences for Gaza’s infrastructure, with limited resources available for essential services like clean water. The water desalination company plays a crucial role in providing clean water to the population in Gaza, where water scarcity is a pressing issue.