New Israeli military operations targeted locations throughout the Gaza Strip on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians, according to hospital officials. The strikes hit a residential building in Gaza City and a tent encampment in Khan Younis, significantly raising the daily casualty count recorded since the initial ceasefire agreement in October.
This surge in fatalities comes as diplomatic efforts to advance the second phase of the US-brokered truce face renewed friction, with both Israel and Hamas accusing the other of breaching existing terms. Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya reported that an air strike on a police station in Gaza City alone accounted for at least 14 fatalities, including officers and civilians.
The timing of the strikes is particularly sensitive, preceding the planned, albeit limited, reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday. This crossing is viewed by humanitarian organizations as a critical lifeline for medical evacuations, given the extensive damage sustained by Gaza’s internal medical infrastructure.
Casualties reported by Nasser Hospital included seven individuals killed in the tent camp strike, among them a father and his three children, highlighting the impact on civilian populations. The Health Ministry in Gaza, which is overseen by the Hamas-led administration, stated that at least 520 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire commenced on October 10.
Israel’s military stated that the Saturday operations were a direct response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas the previous day, citing an incident where Israeli forces killed four militants near Rafah. Hamas condemned the attacks, labeling them a "renewed flagrant violation" and called upon mediating nations, including the United States, to intervene.
The broader agenda for the current phase of negotiations involves complex issues, including the demilitarization of the Strip and the establishment of a new governing body to oversee post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
These renewed hostilities underscore the fragility of the current truce mechanisms as the parties navigate the challenging transition toward longer-term stability and border management.
