Israel launches strikes in Gaza as hospitals report 24 killed

Deir al-Balah: Israel’s military on Saturday carried out airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began on October 10. The Prime Minister’s office said five senior Hamas members were killed.

Gaza health officials reported at least 24 dead and 54 wounded, including children. One strike hit a vehicle in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood, killing 11 and wounding over 20, mostly children, according to Shifa Hospital. Other strikes killed three near Al-Awda Hospital, seven in Nuseirat camp, including a child, and three, including a woman, in Deir al-Balah.

Witness Khalil Abu Hatab described a powerful explosion that destroyed a neighbour’s upper floor. “It’s a fragile ceasefire. There’s no safe place,” he said.

Israel said the attacks followed an “armed terrorist” crossing into Israeli-held territory and firing at troops, causing no Israeli casualties. Soldiers also killed five militants in Rafah and two others in northern Gaza. Israel called the crossings an “extreme violation” of the ceasefire.

Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq accused Israel of fabricating pretexts to resume “a war of extermination” and urged US and other mediators to enforce the agreement.

The conflict began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 and taking over 250 hostages, most of whom have since been returned. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 69,733 Palestinians killed and 170,863 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, with women and children making up the majority.

The strikes highlight the ceasefire’s fragility as international efforts, including a UN Security Council plan for a transitional authority and stabilisation force, seek to secure Gaza and explore a potential path to Palestinian statehood.