In what has become a grim pattern, renewed violence between Israel and Hamas continues despite efforts towards ceasefire. The latest round of attacks claimed at least 12 lives in Gaza, with Israeli military officials attributing these strikes to violations of the truce agreement by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The civil defense agency reported two separate incidents: one near Jabalia in northern Gaza, where a strike hit a shelter for displaced families and another in Khan Younis, south Gaza. The agency stated that five individuals were killed while sleeping in their tents at Jabalia. In Khan Younis, a separate attack wounded several more civilians.
The Al-Shifa and Nasser hospitals confirmed they had received bodies of seven individuals who perished in the strikes. According to Osama Abu Askar, nephew of one victim, “Israel doesn’t understand ceasefires or truces.” He added, “We’ve been under this ceasefire for months, but Israel continues to target us. It seems they’re still operating on the principle that says, ‘one thing’ and doing ‘another.’”
The US-brokered ceasefire entered its second phase last month in an effort to restore calm to Gaza. However, both parties have accused each other of breaching agreements.
A military official attributed Israel’s strikes to Hamas violating the truce terms by engaging armed terrorists who took refuge under debris near IDF troops and crossing the so-called “Yellow Line” – a demarcation line separating Israeli forces from Palestinians – while carrying weapons.
Hamas, in response, cited its violation of the ceasefire agreement as targeting displaced people in their tents. The group accused Israel of flagrant violations that have claimed the lives of at least 601 Palestinians since the truce was declared on October 10th.
While Israeli forces remain stationed behind a “Yellow Line,” they continue to control more than half of Palestinian territory, prompting accusations from Hamas and condemnation from humanitarian agencies. Media access remains severely restricted in Gaza, precluding independent verification by journalists such as AFP or other news organizations.
The situation in Gaza underscores the ongoing struggle for peace between Israel and Hamas under fragile ceasefire agreements, highlighting the challenges in achieving lasting stability in a region fraught with conflict.