At least 27 people have been killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to local authorities. The civil defence agency, which is operated by Hamas, says children and women were among those killed. It added that in one attack, helicopter gunships hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Palestinians have described these strikes as the heaviest since the second phase of the ceasefire, brokered by President Trump in October, came into effect earlier this month. The Israeli military confirmed that a number of strikes were carried out in response to what it said was a Hamas violation of the agreement on Friday.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce since it came into effect last year. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 'eight terrorists were identified exiting the underground terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah', an area in Gaza where Israeli forces are deployed under the October agreement. The IDF mentioned that it struck various locations including 'four commanders and additional terrorists', a weapons storage facility, and launch sites belonging to Hamas.
Hamas has condemned the strikes, calling them ongoing violations that confirm Israel's brutal war against the strip. It stated that seven of the victims were from one displaced family, with civil defence officials reporting that residential apartments, tents, shelters, and a police station were targeted. Witness accounts from Gaza City described the destruction and civilian casualties, including three children and two women killed in an air strike.
The strikes come amidst ongoing tensions following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, leading to a controversial military response by Israel in Gaza.
Palestinians have described these strikes as the heaviest since the second phase of the ceasefire, brokered by President Trump in October, came into effect earlier this month. The Israeli military confirmed that a number of strikes were carried out in response to what it said was a Hamas violation of the agreement on Friday.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce since it came into effect last year. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 'eight terrorists were identified exiting the underground terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah', an area in Gaza where Israeli forces are deployed under the October agreement. The IDF mentioned that it struck various locations including 'four commanders and additional terrorists', a weapons storage facility, and launch sites belonging to Hamas.
Hamas has condemned the strikes, calling them ongoing violations that confirm Israel's brutal war against the strip. It stated that seven of the victims were from one displaced family, with civil defence officials reporting that residential apartments, tents, shelters, and a police station were targeted. Witness accounts from Gaza City described the destruction and civilian casualties, including three children and two women killed in an air strike.
The strikes come amidst ongoing tensions following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, leading to a controversial military response by Israel in Gaza.
