In brief
A series of Israeli air strikes on Saturday have killed at least 27 Palestinians in Gaza, including women and children, according to local officials. The civil defense agency reports the strikes target areas housing displaced individuals in Khan Younis and other locations, marking a sharp escalation in violence following a recent ceasefire. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the truce established in October 2025, with the Israeli military stating its actions are a response to perceived threats from Hamas.
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 defense agency, operated by Hamas, reported that among the deceased are children and women. One attack notably struck a tent sheltering displaced individuals in the southern city of Khan Younis.
These air strikes are described as some of the heaviest since the second phase of a ceasefire, brokered by President Trump, came into effect earlier this month.
The Israeli military ascertained that the strikes were in retaliation for what they claimed was a violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas on Friday.
Both Israeli and Hamas officials have exchanged accusations of violating the truce since it was implemented last year. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detailed that strikes occurred targeting commanders and weapons facilities associated with Hamas.
Hamas has condemned the air strikes, equating them to ongoing violations of international agreements and labeled them a brutal campaign against Gazans.
Among the casualties reported, seven individuals were from a single displaced family in Khan Younis. Strikes also affected residential apartments, shelters, and even a police station.
Reports from Shifa hospital in Gaza City confirm that an air strike on a residential building resulted in the deaths of three children and two women, with devastating scenes of destruction across the area.
The escalation of violence marks a grim continuation of the hostilities that escalated following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel back in October 2023, which led to a significant military response from Israel and an ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
