Israeli Strikes Kill 33 Palestinians, Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel launched deadly airstrikes across Gaza, killing at least 33 people in one of the deadliest incidents since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began in October. The strikes followed claims that Israeli troops came under fire in Khan Younis. The violence puts additional strain on the fragile truce, already marred by violations and humanitarian crises.
Gaza Conflict Escalation Quick Looks
- Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis and Gaza City killed at least 33.
- Among the victims were 12 children and 8 women.
- Strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced civilians.
- Hamas denied firing at Israeli forces, called the attacks a “massacre.”
- The violence follows claims of Israeli troops under fire in Khan Younis.
- Ceasefire terms include aid access and hostage return, both under strain.
- Trump-backed U.N. Gaza plan gains approval despite Hamas objections.
- Israeli military simultaneously conducted strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Deep Look
Gaza Death Toll Climbs to 33 Amid Israel’s Deadliest Strikes Since Ceasefire Began
At least 33 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza in a 12-hour span from late Wednesday to early Thursday, marking the deadliest escalation since the start of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 10. The renewed violence has raised fears about the durability of the fragile truce and intensified scrutiny of international efforts to stabilize the region.
According to hospital officials in Gaza, the strikes targeted locations in Khan Younis and Gaza City, both of which housed displaced civilians. The first wave of airstrikes struck tents in Khan Younis late Wednesday, killing 17 people—including five women and five children—according to Nasser Hospital. Hours later, a pair of strikes in Gaza City killed 16 more, including seven children and three women, officials at Al-Shifa Hospital reported.
The Israeli military said the attacks were in response to gunfire directed at its troops operating in Khan Younis, though it confirmed that no Israeli soldiers were injured or killed.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, denied involvement in any such attack, calling the Israeli response a “shocking massacre.”
In the aftermath, scenes of mourning unfolded at Nasser Hospital. Families gathered to bury their dead, with women weeping over the white-shrouded bodies of children and relatives. Abir Abu Moustapha, a mother of three, lost her children—ages 1, 11, and 12—and her husband in one of the strikes.
“How was it my children’s fault that they had to die?” she asked, as she prepared to bury her family.
Ceasefire Pressured by Violence and Political Shifts
The airstrikes occurred on both sides of the ceasefire’s demarcation line. That line, set in October, divides Gaza into zones—with one area under Israeli military control and the other designated as a humanitarian safe zone. Both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Despite a reduction in hostilities since the truce, the fighting has not fully stopped. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 300 deaths since the ceasefire began. The ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties, is considered a reliable source by the United Nations and international experts.
The current conflict stems from the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that left approximately 1,200 people dead—mostly civilians—and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has led to more than 69,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local authorities.
On the political front, the United Nations Security Council this week backed a new peace blueprint proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, the creation of a transitional governance authority, and a framework for a potential Palestinian state. However, Hamas has rejected the plan, claiming that its security provisions—including disarmament—undermine neutrality and support Israeli interests.
Hostage Returns and Continued Humanitarian Crisis
Since the ceasefire took effect, 25 sets of hostage remains have been returned to Israel. Three hostages remain missing in Gaza, while 20 living captives were returned on October 13. The terms of the truce include facilitating humanitarian aid and the return of hostages, though implementation has been uneven.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Aid groups report shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. The recent strikes further complicate relief efforts and displace more families already living in overcrowded shelters.
Simultaneous Israeli Strikes in Lebanon
In a parallel development, Israeli forces conducted a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting Hezbollah weapons storage sites. The strikes came a day after an Israeli airstrike in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp killed 13 people—the deadliest Israeli action in Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire ended the previous Israel-Hezbollah war.
The Israeli military said Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild its presence in the region and warned that the group’s operations violate prior agreements between Israel and Lebanon. The military also claimed that some weapons storage sites were embedded in civilian areas.
Earlier on Wednesday, an Israeli drone strike hit a car in the Lebanese village of Tiri, killing one person and injuring 11 others, including schoolchildren riding in a nearby bus. Israel later confirmed the strike targeted a Hezbollah operative, though it did not provide additional details.
Global Reactions and Outlook
The overlapping crises in Gaza and Lebanon have drawn global concern. Human rights organizations are calling for investigations into civilian casualties, while international diplomats urge restraint. The Trump administration’s peace proposal represents the most significant U.S.-led diplomatic effort since the conflict began, but its long-term viability remains uncertain.
With both the humanitarian and political situations deteriorating, questions remain about the ceasefire’s sustainability, the region’s security, and the potential for broader regional conflict.
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