Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza in Escalation of Post-Ceasefire Attacks
Israeli forces escalated attacks on the Gaza Strip this week, killing dozens of Palestinians, including children, in an apparent violation of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US. The deadly violence has been met with international outcry and calls for accountability.
Background and Context
The ceasefire, which came into effect last month, has been repeatedly violated, with Israeli forces conducting airstrikes on several locations, including the city of Khan Younis and densely populated civilian areas in Gaza City. This comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's controversial 20-point plan for Gaza, which critics argue functions as political cover for Israel's ongoing military campaign.
Recent Developments
In a series of attacks that have taken place since dawn on Wednesday, at least 23 Palestinians have been killed across Gaza, according to Middle East Eye. The strikes targeted crowded civilian zones, including streets with displaced families and busy intersections, Al-Quds News reports.
In the city of Khan Younis, Israeli drones fired five reconnaissance missiles at the Mawasi area, where displaced families had taken shelter. Three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli bombing of a house in the Bani Suheila area, east of Khan Younis, according to both Al Jazeera English and Middle East Eye.
The death toll continued to rise, with Middle East Eye subsequently reporting that three children were found dead in the rubble of the bombed house. Hospital sources quoted by Middle East Eye later reported that Israeli forces killed at least 34 Palestinians in overnight bombings, including 18 children and women, in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Reactions and Implications
The Israeli army, as reported by Le Monde, justifies these strikes as a response to alleged attacks by Hamas on its soldiers operating in the area. However, this narrative is contested, with critics accusing Israel of disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force.
The Palestinian group Hamas condemned the latest massacre
and described it as a dangerous escalation through which [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu seeks to resume the genocide,
as reported by Middle East Eye.
The latest escalation of violence has drawn attention to the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the NGO Save the Children, approximately 11,967 children were either killed or injured in conflict zones in 2024, with the wars in Gaza being among the deadliest for the youngest.
Current Status
The current status in Gaza remains tense, with rescue efforts ongoing and the death toll expected to rise. Despite the catastrophic human cost, nearly 200 media workers continue to risk their lives to record the events unfolding in the war-torn region, according to The Hindu.
The international community continues to watch closely, with many calling for justice and an end to the violence. The ceasefire in Gaza has not stopped Israel’s collective punishment of the territory’s population, and without true accountability, there can be no healing, as opined by Ruth James in Middle East Eye.