Deadly Airstrikes Rock Gaza as Ceasefire Tensions Escalate
More Than 30 Palestinians, Including Children, Killed Amid Mutual Accusations of Violating Truce
A fresh wave of violence shattered a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, as Israeli airstrikes killed more than 30 Palestinians, including several children and civilians, according to local health officials and hospital reports. The strikes, hitting residential areas, a police station, and tent camps, represent one of the deadliest single episodes since the truce between Israel and armed groups took effect late last year.
Israeli authorities say the raids were directed at Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets after claiming that militants breached the ceasefire days earlier by moving armed fighters through a tunnel near Rafah — a charge rejected by the Palestinian group. The Israel Defense Forces described the strikes as necessary to counter what it called ongoing threats and ceasefire violations that jeopardize the security of its forces.
In contrast, Palestinian officials and witnesses condemned the attacks as blatant violations of the truce, accusing Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure and endangering noncombatants. Many of the victims were reported in densely populated neighborhoods, fueling outrage among families already weary of prolonged conflict and humanitarian strain. The deaths of young children in particular have prompted renewed condemnation from local leaders and international humanitarian voices.
The renewed violence comes at a sensitive moment, with diplomatic efforts underway to transition the ceasefire into a more sustainable peace. Both sides’ accusations of breach threaten to further erode confidence in negotiations just as humanitarian corridors and border crossings were poised to ease the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza.
As tensions mount, the latest deaths underscore the fragile nature of the current truce and the deep challenges that remain in stabilizing relations and protecting civilians in the territory.
