GazaConflict – Israeli Airstrikes Reportedly Kill Seven Across Gaza Strip
GazaConflict – At least seven people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to Gaza’s civil defence authority, as the Israeli military said it carried out operations in response to what it described as a breach of the ceasefire in the southern part of the territory.
The reported deaths mark another episode of violence despite a US-mediated truce between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October. The ceasefire, aimed at reducing hostilities after months of intense fighting, has faced repeated strain, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Strikes Reported in Khan Yunis and Beyond
Gaza’s civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas-run authorities, said a drone strike shortly after midnight targeted the southern city of Khan Yunis, killing three people. Later in the day, an airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced residents west of the same city, resulting in another fatality.
Additional casualties were reported in other parts of the territory. Two individuals were killed by Israeli fire in separate incidents in Beit Lahia, located in northern Gaza. In central Gaza, one more person died following an airstrike, according to the agency.
The Israeli military confirmed that it conducted strikes “throughout the strip,” stating that the action followed what it termed a ceasefire violation in the Rafah area near the Egyptian border.
Israeli Military Cites Tunnel Activity
In response to inquiries, the Israeli military referred to an earlier incident in Rafah in which several armed Hamas members were said to have emerged from a tunnel. The military characterized this movement as a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
According to its statement, Israeli troops, supported by the air force, launched targeted strikes shortly afterward. The military said the operation was intended to neutralize what it described as an immediate threat posed by the armed individuals.
No independent verification of the tunnel activity or the sequence of events leading to Friday’s strikes was immediately available. Access restrictions and security concerns continue to limit on-the-ground reporting in Gaza.
Scenes of Mourning in Southern Gaza
In Khan Yunis, funeral processions took place on Friday. Video footage showed residents carrying bodies wrapped in white coverings through narrow streets as family members and neighbors gathered to pay their respects.
Local resident Ahmad Mohammad Joudeh described the atmosphere as tense and fearful. He said people felt vulnerable, even during routine activities late at night. “There was no warning,” he said, expressing frustration over the unpredictability of the strikes.
Another witness, Maher Shabat, recounted hearing cries for help in the early hours after the reported drone strike. He said residents attempted to reach those injured but were cautioned to stay back because the drone was still flying overhead.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The latest violence comes during what is described as the second phase of the ceasefire arrangement. Although the truce initially led to a reduction in large-scale operations, sporadic incidents have continued.
Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 618 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began. The figures have not been independently verified due to ongoing restrictions on media movement and limited access to affected areas.
On the Israeli side, the military has said that at least five soldiers have died during the same period.
Both Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations over responsibility for renewed hostilities. Diplomatic efforts led by the United States and regional mediators are ongoing, but the situation on the ground remains fragile.
As tensions persist, civilians across Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, facing displacement, insecurity, and uncertainty about the durability of the ceasefire agreement.