Israeli Airstrikes Kill Four in Gaza, Raising Doubts Over Fragile US-Brokered Ceasefire

Renewed Violence Rocks Gaza Amidst Ceasefire Doubts

Renewed violence has gripped the southern Gaza Strip, with Israeli airstrikes on Thursday claiming the lives of four Palestinians and injuring 18 others in Khan Younis. These attacks have intensified doubts surrounding the nearly six-week-old, US-brokered ceasefire, as both Hamas and Israel trade accusations of violating the fragile truce.

Local health authorities reported one devastating strike on a residential building in Bani Suhaila, a town east of Khan Younis, which killed three individuals, tragically including a baby girl, and left 15 wounded. A separate incident in the nearby town of Abassan resulted in the death of one man and injuries to three others. While the Israeli military confirmed conducting strikes in the area, it stated it was unaware of any casualties.

These latest events follow Wednesday’s significant escalation, where Israeli forces targeted sites across the enclave after alleging militant fire on its troops. Gaza medics reported at least 25 fatalities from these earlier strikes. In response, Hamas condemned the Israeli actions as a dangerous escalation, calling for intervention from Arab mediators, Turkey, and the United States.

The Fragile Ceasefire Under Scrutiny

Despite the October 10 ceasefire in the two-year Gaza conflict bringing some measure of calm, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to devastated areas and increasing aid flows, the violence has not fully abated. Israel had withdrawn troops from urban positions, yet underlying tensions and intermittent clashes persist.

Residents on the ground express profound skepticism. Akram Iswair, a resident of Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb, where at least 10 people perished in a building housing displaced families on Wednesday, voiced his despair. "They say there is a ceasefire but I doubt this. Day by day, they say there is a ceasefire, this is completely untrue," Iswair told Reuters on Thursday, questioning the safety for "displaced, poor citizens."

Toll of the Truce

Since the ceasefire took effect, Palestinian health authorities indicate that Israeli forces have killed 312 people in Gaza, with nearly half of these casualties occurring during a single retaliatory attack last week following an assault on Israeli troops. Israel, in turn, reports the deaths of three of its soldiers during the truce period and claims to have targeted scores of fighters.

The broader conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 69,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, according to Gaza health officials.

A key component of the ceasefire agreement involved a prisoner and hostage exchange. Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel. Additionally, Hamas committed to handing over the remains of 28 deceased hostages, with Israel reciprocating by returning the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants. To date, 25 sets of hostage remains have been transferred, and 330 bodies of Palestinians have been returned by Israel.