At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across northern and central Gaza, according to Hamas medical and civil defense officials.
These strikes targeted five different sites, including residential homes. Local sources indicated a senior Hamas commander was among those killed.
The Israeli military stated that these strikes were in retaliation to an incident where they claim an 'armed terrorist' shot at soldiers after crossing the 'yellow line' — a demarcation of areas under Israeli control. Hamas has denied these allegations.
Accusations from both parties have surfaced, claiming the other has breached the ceasefire agreement established six weeks earlier.
More than 310 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire, according to Gaza's health ministry. The attacks occurred in areas including Gaza City and Deir al-Balah, with civilian casualties being a notable concern.
Among the reported incidents, five individuals were killed at the Abbas junction in the heavily populated Rimal district of Gaza City, where an Israeli strike ignited a vehicle fire.
In Deir al-Balah, three men lost their lives near a mosque, while additional airstrikes on residential homes in Nuseirat resulted in several fatalities.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later stated that the airstrikes eliminated several senior Hamas operatives in response to purported violations of the ceasefire by Hamas.
Following the attacks, Hamas condemned the Israeli actions as a breach of the ceasefire agreement, calling for urgent intervention from international mediators and warning against Israeli efforts to alter existing conditions.
The ongoing conflict has its roots in heightened altercations following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people, with an additional 251 taken hostage.
Since then, over 69,500 Palestinians have reportedly died due to Israeli military actions, including significant casualties during the ongoing ceasefire.
