Gaza Strip Endures Deadly Israeli Airstrikes as Fragile Truce Fails Amid Mutual Accusations; 32 Killed in 24 Hours

Deadly Israeli Strikes Persist in Gaza as Fragile Truce Crumbles Amidst Rising Casualties

The Gaza Strip is once again at the epicenter of intense violence, as a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate areas, particularly the southern city of Khan Younis. A fragile six-week truce, intended to halt hostilities between Hamas and Israel, appears to be unraveling amid mutual accusations of violations, leading to a significant increase in casualties.

Khan Younis Bears Brunt of Latest Attacks

Local health authorities reported that Thursday's attacks in Khan Younis resulted in five deaths and 18 injuries. One particularly devastating strike on a house in Bani Suhaila, just east of Khan Younis, tragically claimed three lives, including an infant girl, and wounded 15 others. Another incident in the nearby town of Abassan killed one man and injured three more. While the Israeli military confirmed conducting the strikes, it stated it was not aware of any casualties. Later in the day, officials at Nasser Hospital confirmed a fifth Palestinian fatality from Israeli gunfire, also in Abassan.

Gaza's Death Toll Mounts Amidst Truce Breakdown

The human toll is stark: Gaza's Health Ministry revealed that at least 32 people, among them 12 children and eight women, lost their lives in the preceding 24 hours. This grim figure marks the highest daily death toll since October 29, a day that saw approximately 100 fatalities. This escalation follows recent exchanges where Israel cited Palestinian militant fire on its troops as the reason for striking targets across the enclave, while Hamas condemned the Israeli actions as a dangerous escalation.

Accusations Fly as Mediators Urged to Intervene

Hamas has vehemently called for intervention from the international mediators – including Arab nations, Turkey, and the United States – who initially brokered the ceasefire. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, accused Israel of illicitly altering markings that define areas it still occupies, thereby violating agreed-upon maps and maintaining control over more than 50 percent of the enclave. Residents in Shejaia suburb, eastern Gaza City, corroborated these claims, reporting that yellow barricades indicating Israeli-controlled zones had been moved 100 meters westward. Israel has not yet issued a comment regarding these specific allegations.

Skepticism and Despair on the Ground

On the ground, skepticism about the ceasefire is palpable. Akram Iswair, a resident in Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb, where ten people died Wednesday in a building that had housed displaced families, voiced his despair to Reuters: “They say there is a ceasefire but I doubt this. Day by day, they say there is a ceasefire – this is completely untrue. Missiles struck the displaced, poor citizens. What can we, our women and our families do?” Amidst the wreckage, residents were seen sifting through debris, desperately trying to salvage belongings.

The Unraveling Truce and Broader Conflict Context

The initial Oct. 10 ceasefire, which emerged from the two-year Gaza conflict, had offered a glimmer of hope. It facilitated the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to their homes in Gaza’s ruins, increased the flow of aid, and saw Israeli troops withdraw from city positions. However, the complete cessation of violence remains elusive. Reports indicate Hamas's efforts to reassert itself, alongside ongoing concerns about a de facto partition of the territory and continuously dire humanitarian conditions.

Since the truce began, Palestinian health authorities report 312 people killed in Gaza by Israeli forces. Conversely, Israel states that three of its soldiers have been killed and that it has targeted scores of fighters. The larger conflict commenced on October 7, 2023, with Hamas-led militants attacking southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has since resulted in over 69,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza health officials.

Hostage and Prisoner Exchange Details

Under the terms of the truce agreement, Hamas released all 20 living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees. Additionally, Hamas committed to handing over the remains of 28 deceased hostages in return for the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants killed in the war. To date, 25 hostage remains have been transferred, and Israel has returned 330 Palestinian bodies.