Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians overnight, report local hospitals. The violence persists even as global attention turns to ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City received the bodies, which included two women and two children.
A video captured the aftermath of one strike, revealing a significant hole in the upper floors of a residential building. Interior walls were damaged, and blood-stained items scattered into the street. Palestinian residents mourned at a funeral in Gaza City, grieving for relatives killed in these attacks.
“They say the war has stopped, but the war has not stopped,” stated Walid Shbeir, whose nephew was among the deceased. “Each night brings loss, and we witness martyrs. Morning, evening, and night, the killing continues without pause.”
The Israeli military has not provided comments on these incidents. Recently, Israel eliminated a senior Hamas military leader, marking continued tensions following the death of his predecessor two weeks earlier.
The violence occurs despite an October ceasefire aimed to end over two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have executed frequent airstrikes and targeted Palestinians near military zones. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 936 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
The Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, maintains credibility among United Nations agencies and independent experts, although it does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Palestinian militants have attacked Israeli troops, prompting Israel to claim that its military actions respond to truce violations or threats.
Since the ceasefire, four Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in Gaza. The conflict began as a reaction to Hamas’ assault in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.
— Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv.
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