At least 28 Palestinians, including nine children, were killed on Wednesday by a series of Israeli airstrikes on several areas of Gaza, marking the most serious escalation since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect.
The Israeli military said it struck Hamas targets in Khan Younis after “some militants” opened fire on Israeli troops, calling the incident a violation of the ceasefire. Hamas denied Israel’s version and called the offensive a “dangerous escalation,” demanding that the U.S. intervene to ensure the agreement is respected.
Footage from Gaza hospitals showed dozens of wounded and relatives waiting near the victims. In Zaytun, a strike hit a residential area, killing at least 10 people, while another strike hit an UNRWA club near Khan Younis where civilians were staying.
The attacks came just days after the UN Security Council approved a US-proposed plan for a process towards lasting peace and reconstruction in Gaza. However, tensions on the ground remain high.
Israel also carried out strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what it said were Hezbollah weapons depots. A day earlier, an Israeli attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon killed 13 people.
Despite the latest clashes, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in effect, while the process of exchanging hostages and prisoners has entered its first phase. Hamas has handed over all live hostages and the bodies of most of the victims.
According to health authorities in Gaza, since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, over 69,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children.
