GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Israeli airstrikes across Gaza late Wednesday night killed at least 28 Palestinians, including nine children, marking the latest escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas. The strikes, which came after several Hamas militants reportedly fired on Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, have reignited fears of a breakdown in the fragile ceasefire that has held since late October.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrikes targeted Hamas positions in retaliation for the attack on Israeli forces, calling the fire on its soldiers a “violation of the ceasefire agreement.” Despite the escalation, the IDF reported no casualties among its personnel. In response, Hamas condemned the strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and rejected Israel’s version of events, accusing the IDF of fabricating justifications for its ongoing military actions. Hamas also urged the United States to apply “immediate and serious pressure” on Israel to stop its offensive and to adhere to the ceasefire terms.
Health officials in Gaza confirmed that nine children were among the dead, with at least 77 others injured, some critically. The deadliest airstrike occurred in the Zaytun area of eastern Gaza, where 10 people, including a woman and a child, were killed. Another strike targeted a group of civilians in a west Gaza neighborhood near Khan Younis, specifically hitting the UNRWA club, a site operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
This is the third major escalation since the ceasefire began in October 2024. Previous incidents, also triggered by attacks on Israeli soldiers, resulted in the deaths of approximately 150 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers. Despite these flare-ups, the ceasefire has generally held since its implementation.
The violence follows Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza after the October 7 attack by Hamas, during which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed, and over 250 people were taken hostage. Since that attack, Gaza’s health ministry has reported over 69,000 Palestinian deaths, with the majority of casualties being women and children.
In accordance with the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement, Hamas has released all living hostages and the bodies of all but three of the deceased. Meanwhile, Israel has agreed to withdraw from some parts of Gaza and release certain Palestinian prisoners. While tensions remain high, there have been calls for further peace efforts and international mediation.
In a related development, Israel carried out additional airstrikes on southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah weapons storage sites. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said these strikes targeted Hezbollah’s rocket unit, although no casualties were reported. Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon killed 13 people, further escalating tensions along Israel’s northern border.
Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered in November 2024, violence along the border has continued, with Hezbollah and other Palestinian factions in Lebanon intensifying attacks on Israeli targets. These latest incidents underscore the fragility of the peace agreements and the growing risks of a wider regional conflict.
As international leaders call for restraint, the situation in Gaza and southern Lebanon remains volatile, with no clear end to the conflict in sight.
