Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least 35, according to Palestinian hospital officials, as fighting intensified in the region on Sunday, December 31, 2023. The exchange of fire followed the death of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who died after a hunger strike in an Israeli prison.
The death toll from Israeli strikes in central Gaza rose to at least 35 on December 31, 2023, as Palestinian hospital officials reported the casualties. The attacks occurred amid renewed violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian groups, with the Israeli military stating it was targeting Hamas operatives in Khan Younis. The fighting intensified hours after the death of Khader Adnan, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member, who died in an Israeli prison following a hunger strike protesting his detention.
Ceasefire Agreements and Escalation Fears
A reciprocal and simultaneous
ceasefire was agreed upon early on Wednesday, according to reports, after Israeli air strikes killed one Palestinian man and wounded at least five others. The deal, brokered by Egyptian, Qatari, and United Nations officials, came into effect at 3:30am local time. However, the fighting has reignited fears of a regional escalation, particularly after Israeli military operations in April targeted Lebanon and Gaza following rocket attacks from the south of Lebanon.
For more on this story, see Israeli strikes kill at least 14 Palestinians at Gaza funeral.
The death of Adnan, a 45-year-old prisoner, highlighted the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups. Adnan, who had been arrested more than 10 times and spent eight years in Israeli prisons, initiated a hunger strike in February after his arrest from his home in Arraba, West Bank. His death drew international attention, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urging Israel to avoid unilateral measures
that could further inflame the situation.
Regional Tensions and Civilian Impact
Palestinian media reported explosions in the northern region of Gaza, while Israeli forces targeted areas near the border, including the town of Sderot. The violence has displaced thousands and raised concerns about a broader conflict. In the central Gaza area, an airstrike in Zweida killed at least 13 people, with witnesses describing the scene as one of “innocent” casualties.
The Israeli military has faced stiff resistance from Hamas, with 172 soldiers killed since the ground offensive began in late October. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, announced that some forces were being withdrawn as part of a smart management
strategy, though he did not specify the number or duration of the withdrawal. The military also reported finding a bomb in a kindergarten in the al-Shati refugee camp, which was subsequently defused.
International Reactions and Unanswered Questions
The conflict has drawn condemnation from international bodies, with the United Nations expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 21,800 Palestinian deaths and 56,000 injuries since the war began, though it does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties. The EU’s Borrell called for restraint, but Israel has continued its military operations, citing the need to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities.
This follows our earlier report, Gaza Celebrates Spain’s 2026 World Cup Win as Symbol of Political Solidarity.
The situation remains volatile. The withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain areas, as reported by the military, may indicate a strategic shift, but the continued bombing of Gaza and the lack of a permanent ceasefire suggest the conflict is far from resolved. The death of Adnan and the subsequent violence underscore the deepening cycle of retaliation.
Sources: Middle East Eye édition française, Cbc.
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