Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of 33 individuals and left many others injured, marking one of the most severe escalations of violence since a US-backed ceasefire was established last month. Medical officials from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that they received 17 bodies, including five women and five children, after Israeli airstrikes targeted tents where displaced individuals were sheltering. In Gaza City, two additional airstrikes claimed the lives of 16 others—comprising seven children and three women.
The Israeli military stated the strikes were a response to gunfire directed at its soldiers in Khan Younis, although there were no reported casualties among Israeli troops. In retaliation, Hamas condemned the airstrikes, labelling them as a “shocking massacre” and denying involvement in any attack on Israeli forces.
Residents in Gaza expressed sentiments of despair, feeling as though the protracted conflict was ongoing. Since the ceasefire, officials in Gaza report that over 300 fatalities have occurred due to Israeli strikes. Lina Kuraz, a resident of the Tuffah neighborhood, shared the fears of her daughter, asking repeatedly if the war would return, highlighting the constant cycle of hope and despair for many families.
Mohammed Hamdouna, who was displaced from northern Gaza, described the daily reality of life in tents amidst ongoing violence, stating that while the intensity of attacks may have decreased, they still endure regular shelling. The intersections of devastation are widespread; cities remain in ruins, border crossings are largely closed, and basic necessities are severely lacking.
Qatar, acting as a mediator in the continuing conflict, condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes, referring to them as a brutal escalation that jeopardizes the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has endorsed Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, which includes deploying an international stabilization force aimed at fostering a pathway toward a sovereign Palestinian state.
However, significant hurdles remain, particularly concerning disarmament of Hamas and the logistics of bringing aid into Gaza. The ongoing situation has seen Hamas retaining the remains of three hostages while Israeli forces occupy more than half of Gaza, following their withdrawal from certain positions after the ceasefire.
The toll of the conflict has been severe, with the two-year war initially triggered by a Hamas-led attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 civilians in October 2023. The subsequent Israeli offensive has claimed over 69,000 Palestinian lives, the majority of whom are also civilians.
This resurgence of violence in Gaza has coincided with intensified Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, further complicating the region’s already tense atmosphere. As the conflict continues, the prospect of peace remains uncertain amidst the backdrop of grief and suffering in affected communities.