At least 25 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Among the casualties were ten individuals, including a woman and a young girl, who died when an Israeli airstrike hit a ministry of religious endowments building in Gaza City’s eastern Zeitoun neighborhood. The Israeli military stated that the strikes aimed at 'Hamas terrorist targets' were in response to gunfire directed at its soldiers in Khan Younis, which it claims violated the ongoing ceasefire. No immediate comment has come from Hamas regarding these developments.
The violence marks a sharp escalation after several days of relative calm, with reports indicating that the strikes successfully targeted several locations. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson from Gaza's Civil Defence agency, confirmed the outbreak of violence occurred shortly after sunset on Wednesday, leading to extensive destruction including a building collapse in Zeitoun, where rescuers stated they found individuals trapped under rubble.
UN Security Council recently passed a resolution intended to support the fragile ceasefire, established on October 10, with objectives including the formation of a transitional governance body and the creation of an International Stabilisation Force to demilitarize Gaza. Discussions within the UN continue as Israeli representatives stress the necessity of disarming Hamas, highlighting persistent threats to their national security.
This renewed conflict arises in the backdrop of a prolonged military offensive initiated by Israel in retaliation for a deadly Hamas-led attack that left about 1,200 Israelis dead on October 7, 2023. According to Hamas-run health ministry data, the ongoing military operations have resulted in over 69,500 fatalities among Palestinians in Gaza, demonstrating the severe humanitarian implications of the continued hostilities.
The violence marks a sharp escalation after several days of relative calm, with reports indicating that the strikes successfully targeted several locations. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson from Gaza's Civil Defence agency, confirmed the outbreak of violence occurred shortly after sunset on Wednesday, leading to extensive destruction including a building collapse in Zeitoun, where rescuers stated they found individuals trapped under rubble.
UN Security Council recently passed a resolution intended to support the fragile ceasefire, established on October 10, with objectives including the formation of a transitional governance body and the creation of an International Stabilisation Force to demilitarize Gaza. Discussions within the UN continue as Israeli representatives stress the necessity of disarming Hamas, highlighting persistent threats to their national security.
This renewed conflict arises in the backdrop of a prolonged military offensive initiated by Israel in retaliation for a deadly Hamas-led attack that left about 1,200 Israelis dead on October 7, 2023. According to Hamas-run health ministry data, the ongoing military operations have resulted in over 69,500 fatalities among Palestinians in Gaza, demonstrating the severe humanitarian implications of the continued hostilities.
