Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have reportedly left at least 17 Palestinians dead, including six children, according to hospital sources. The military action followed an incident where gunfire from militants severely wounded an Israeli soldier, prompting what Israel described as a response to a 'blatant violation' of the ceasefire agreement in place since mid-October.
The airstrikes targeted areas in both northern and southern Gaza, with significant casualties reported at hospitals, including Nasser hospital in Khan Younis and Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where several of the victims were brought. Al-Shifa reported receiving the bodies of 13 people killed in strikes on residential areas, while Nasser hospital confirmed four fatalities from strikes on southern tents.
Accusations of ceasefire violations have been rampant since the truce's inception, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for ongoing attacks. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 529 people have been killed from Israeli fire since the conflict reignited in October 2023, which was initiated by a Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens.
The current escalation raises serious concerns regarding the fragile situation in the region and the potential for further conflict.
