In brief
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed 20 Palestinians, as tensions rise after an Israeli soldier was wounded by gunfire. Hospitals report multiple casualties, including children and a paramedic, amid accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides.
At least 20 Palestinians, including several children and a paramedic, have been killed and almost 40 others wounded in Israeli strikes in Gaza, hospitals say. The Israeli military stated that tanks and aircraft carried out 'precise strikes' against purported terrorists who opened fire on troops in northern Gaza, leading to the serious wounding of an officer. The strikes reportedly occurred near the Yellow Line, which marks the boundary of where Israeli forces are stationed in Gaza, and are seen as a blatant breach of the three-month-old ceasefire deal with Hamas.Hamas has condemned the strikes as a flimsy excuse for continued aggression against Palestinian civilians, raising concerns about the impact of military actions on non-combatants. Reports indicate that the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza received bodies from multiple sites of attack, including homes and tents for displaced families.Among the mourners was Abu Mohammed Haboush, who lamented the loss of his family members during the shelling while they slept. On another occasion, two sisters and a medic were killed in subsequent strikes in the al-Mawasi area, highlighting the ongoing danger faced by first responders as they attempt to provide assistance amid the conflict.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the al-Mawasi strike targeted a Hamas military commander believed to have been involved in prior attacks. While the IDF noted attempts to mitigate civilian casualties, the situation remains dire, with accusations of near-daily violations of the ceasefire from both Hamas and Israel.The health ministry in Gaza has reported high casualty numbers since renewed hostilities began, indicating a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflicts.
