Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain as Renewed Strikes Kill 21

A fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced a severe test this weekend. Israeli airstrikes killed 21 people across the territory, according to local officials. The violence represents one of the deadliest days since the truce began.

Hamas and Israeli authorities immediately traded blame for the escalation. The Israeli military stated it was responding to an armed militant crossing a designated line and firing on soldiers.

Details of the Deadly Airstrikes Emerge

The Gaza civil defence agency reported five separate airstrikes. A spokesman detailed the casualties to AFP. Seven people were killed in a strike on a house in Nuseirat.

Another strike hit a residential apartment in Gaza City. Four people died there. An initial strike targeted a vehicle in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood, killing five.

Accusations Fly as Mediators Urged to Intervene

Israel accused Hamas of violating the truce agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a terrorist was sent to attack soldiers. It stated Israel “eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists” in response.

Hamas condemned what it called an “escalation” of Israeli violations. The group appealed to international mediators to exert pressure. It called for an immediate stop to the strikes.

The recent violence threatens a US-brokered truce that had brought relative calm. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, 312 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took hold. The ongoing tensions highlight the extreme fragility of the peace process.

The latest violence underscores the precarious state of the Gaza ceasefire. Both sides appear to be testing the boundaries of the agreement. The international community watches anxiously to see if the truce can hold.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How many people were killed in the recent strikes?

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported 21 people were killed. The casualties resulted from five separate Israeli airstrikes. Dozens more were reported wounded.

Q2: What was Israel’s reason for the strikes?

The Israeli military said it was responding to an armed militant crossing a designated line. It stated this individual fired at Israeli soldiers. The action was framed as a response to a truce violation.

Q3: How has Hamas responded to the attacks?

Hamas condemned the airstrikes as a violation of the ceasefire. The group has appealed to international mediators to intervene. It called for urgent pressure to stop the violations.

Q4: What is the current death toll from the conflict?

According to the Gaza health ministry, the Israeli assault has killed at least 69,733 people. These figures are considered reliable by the UN. The war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Q5: Can the ceasefire be salvaged after this?

The situation remains highly volatile. Both sides are accusing the other of violating the agreement. The continued involvement of international mediators will be crucial for its survival.