Israel remains committed to the U. S.-backed ceasefire in Gaza despite recent airstrikes following the death of an Israeli soldier, which has led to significant casualties in Gaza, according to local health authorities. There was a day of bombings that reportedly killed 104 people, including 46 children and 20 women. Israel’s military claimed it conducted targeted strikes on weapons storage locations and militants following the soldier’s death, which Israel attributes to a gunman attack within its previously secured territory. Hamas denied responsibility for the attack.
The airstrikes targeted multiple sites across Gaza, with Israel naming 24 militant targets, including a commander linked to a previous attack during the October conflict. The situation escalated tensions, and local residents expressed deep sorrow and fear as they witnessed entire families, like the Abu Dalal family, being killed in the strikes.
U. S. President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire is not at risk, supporting Israel’s right to retaliate for the attack on its soldier. He emphasized that Hamas plays a small role in Middle East peace and must act appropriately. Qatar’s Prime Minister expressed disappointment over the escalation and its impact on ongoing peace efforts. Displaced Palestinians voiced concerns that the violence could lead to a breakdown of the truce, describing how the sounds of explosions felt like the return of war. Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas had released hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and Israel had pulled back its troops. However, accusations arose that Hamas was delaying the return of bodies, which further strained the ceasefire conditions.
With information from Reuters