Gaza Conflict Escalates: Israeli Strikes Kill 25 Palestinians Amid Fragile Ceasefire & UN Peace Efforts

A significant escalation of violence has gripped the Gaza Strip, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that at least 25 Palestinians have been killed in recent Israeli strikes. This surge in hostilities follows a period of relative calm and comes just after the UN Security Council endorsed a US-backed peace plan for Gaza, aiming to stabilize a fragile five-week-old ceasefire.

The attacks, which occurred shortly after sunset on Wednesday, targeted multiple locations in both Gaza City and Khan Younis, according to Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defence agency. Among the casualties were a woman and a young girl.

Strikes Across Gaza City and Khan Younis

One of the most devastating strikes hit a religious endowments building in Gaza City's eastern Zeitoun neighborhood, killing ten people. Rescuers at the scene described severe damage to the building and surrounding structures, with video footage showing rescue workers recovering individuals from the rubble. Photos from Anadolu news agency also depicted the bodies of three young children reportedly found at this site.

Separate incidents in Gaza City included a drone strike at the Shejaiya junction on Salah al-Din Street, Gaza's primary north-south artery, which killed one person and wounded several others. Another individual died when a tank shell struck the Balboul family home on Mushtaha Street, also in Shejaiya.

In Khan Younis, three individuals lost their lives and several more were injured during a strike on a group within a sports club operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa).

Israeli Justification and Ceasefire Violations

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their strikes targeted "Hamas terrorist targets" in response to alleged ceasefire violations. The IDF claimed that "several terrorists opened fire toward the area where IDF soldiers are operating in Khan Younis" earlier on Wednesday, an action they deemed a breach of the standing agreement. No IDF injuries were reported.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan, citing a security source, indicated that specific targets included the commander of the Zeitoun Battalion of Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and the commander of its naval force. Hamas offered no immediate comment on the Israeli claims.

UN Peace Efforts and Ongoing Tensions

The flare-up directly challenges a resolution passed by the UN Security Council just days prior, on Monday. This resolution aimed to fortify the ceasefire, which initially took effect on October 10. The UN-backed plan involves establishing a transitional governance body, the Board of Peace, chaired by US President Donald Trump, and a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to oversee the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. President Trump hailed this resolution as a "moment of true historic proportion."

Despite these diplomatic efforts, Hamas has reiterated its stance that it will not disarm without the establishment of a Palestinian state, viewing its conflict with Israel as legitimate "resistance." Israel's ambassador to the UN, in turn, emphasized the critical need for disarmament, asserting that Israel would persist until Hamas no longer posed a threat.

This recent wave of violence is set against the backdrop of the broader conflict that ignited on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that Israeli attacks have killed at least 69,500 people, including 280 during the ceasefire period.