At least 12 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including four who died in a strike on a displacement camp near Jabalia in the northern part of the territory, according to Palestinian officials. The strikes come amid ongoing accusations from both Israel and Hamas of ceasefire violations, casting a shadow over efforts to end the months-long conflict. The escalating violence underscores the fragility of the current truce and the immense challenges facing civilians caught in the crossfire.
The attack near Jabalia, a densely populated area and the largest refugee camp in Palestine with over 100,000 inhabitants, reportedly hit a tent camp housing displaced families. Medics told the official Palestinian news agency Wafa that at least four people were killed. Further south, three Palestinians were killed in attacks on Tel Al Hawa and Beit Lahia in Gaza City, while another five died in Khan Younis, where rescuers faced difficulties reaching the site of the strike, health officials reported.
Israeli Response to Alleged Ceasefire Breaches
The Israeli military stated the aerial assaults were in response to what they described as “blatant” violations of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas. According to an Israeli military official, militants emerged from a tunnel east of the “yellow line” – a demarcated area intended to separate Israeli and Hamas-controlled zones – and engaged in armed activity. The official asserted that Sunday’s strikes were “precise” and conducted in accordance with international law.
“Crossing the yellow line in the vicinity of Israeli troops, while armed, is an explicit ceasefire violation – and demonstrates how Hamas systematically violates the ceasefire agreement with intent to harm troops,” the official said. Israel claims Hamas has committed more than six breaches of the ceasefire deal since it was struck in October, including the deployment of fighters east of the agreed-upon boundary.
Tunnel Demolition and Ongoing Operations
The Israeli military also confirmed it is continuing operations to destroy underground tunnels in northern Gaza, in line with the terms of the ceasefire agreement. They reported observing gunmen emerging from a tunnel and entering the rubble of a building east of the yellow line, leading to an airstrike that reportedly killed two of the militants, with the possibility of additional casualties.
Casualty Figures and the Broader Conflict
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the Gaza Health Ministry reports at least 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. Israel, in turn, reports that four of its soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza during the same period. These figures highlight the continued loss of life despite the truce agreement.
The current conflict began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent air and ground offensive in Gaza has led to more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
West Bank Arrests
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces detained 12 Palestinians at dawn on Sunday following raids on homes in the northern province of Nablus. Sources on the ground indicated that six Palestinians were arrested in Asira Al Shamaliya and another six in Beit Furik. These arrests follow a “broad counter-terrorism” raid launched by the Israeli army in the north of the West Bank in November, signaling an expansion of its operations in the region.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the ceasefire. The ongoing violence and the continued destruction of infrastructure raise serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the prospects for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community continues to call for a de-escalation of tensions and a renewed commitment to negotiations.
The next scheduled update from the Israeli military regarding operations in Gaza is expected on Monday morning, where officials are expected to provide further details on the alleged ceasefire violations and the ongoing tunnel demolition efforts.
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