Israeli Air Strikes Kill at Least 32 Palestinians in Gaza
Several air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday have resulted in the tragic death of at least 32 Palestinians, according to local authorities. These attacks have been described as some of the most intense since the second phase of a ceasefire, arranged by US President Trump, commenced earlier this month.
Details of the Recent Air Strikes
– Casualties: The civil defense agency operated by Hamas reports that among the deceased are children and women. Notably, one strike targeted a tent sheltering displaced individuals in Khan Younis.
– Israeli Military Response: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that several air strikes were conducted in reaction to what they deemed a Hamas violation of the ceasefire agreement established on Friday.
– Targets: The IDF identified eight terrorists emerging from an underground facility in eastern Rafah, a region where Israeli forces are positioned under the October agreement. The strikes also targeted:
– Four Hamas commanders.
– A weapons storage facility.
– A weapons manufacturing site.
– Two launch sites in central Gaza.
Reactions and Condemnations
Hamas has responded vehemently to the air strikes, calling on the United States to take immediate action. They argue that these ongoing violations underscore Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza, labeling it a brutal war of genocide. Among the casualties, seven individuals belonged to a single displaced family in Khan Younis. The strikes reportedly impacted residential structures, tents, shelters, and even a police station, with officials at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirming deaths that included three children and two women from an air strike on an apartment building.
A distraught uncle, Samer al-Atbash, lamented, What did those children do? What did we do? as he described the heartbreaking discovery of his deceased nieces.
Local authorities reported that a police station in Gaza City was also hit, resulting in at least 12 fatalities.
Context and Ongoing Tensions
These air strikes arise just as the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s border with Egypt, is set to reopen on Sunday, following the IDF’s recovery of the last Israeli hostage earlier in the week. The strikes have drawn condemnation from Egypt, which has urged all parties to exercise the utmost restraint. Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire discussions, has also denounced the repeated Israeli violations.
In January, US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the beginning of phase two of the ceasefire deal, aimed at establishing a technocratic Palestinian government, facilitating reconstruction, and fully demilitarizing Gaza. This follows a period of intense conflict initiated by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which claimed approximately 1,200 lives and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals.
Since that time, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has tragically resulted in over 71,660 Palestinian deaths, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting at least 509 deaths since the recent ceasefire commenced on October 10, 2025. Four Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives during this period.
While Israel has historically disputed casualty figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, a senior security source acknowledged that the military now accepts that over 70,000 Palestinians have died during the conflict. The health ministry’s statistics have been endorsed by the UN and various human rights organizations, and cited by international media, amidst restrictions on independent reporting in the region.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating impacts on civilians in Gaza, as evidenced by the recent air strikes that claimed the lives of at least 32 Palestinians. With tensions rising and ceasefire agreements strained, it is critical for international actors to engage in constructive dialogue to prevent further loss of life and promote lasting peace in the region.