Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, 23 killed amid fragile ceasefire

Israeli military operations have resumed across the Gaza Strip, with airstrikes claiming the lives of at least 23 Palestinians on Sunday. The escalation comes despite a ceasefire agreement, casting doubt on the durability of the truce and plunging the region back into violence.

Widespread Attacks Across Gaza

The airstrikes hit multiple locations from north to south. In central Gaza, a coffee shop in the town of Al-Zawayda was struck, killing five people. Simultaneously, a tent sheltering displaced families inside a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp was hit, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries, including children. Further strikes were reported in the Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north, each causing additional casualties.

Military Justification and Hamas Denial

The Israeli army stated the offensive was a response to an attack on its troops in the southern city of Rafah, which left two soldiers dead. A military announcement indicated it had begun "the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire." Army spokesman Avichay Adraee issued warnings to Palestinian civilians, demarcating a "highly dangerous combat zone" on a published map. However, Hamas has denied any involvement in the Rafah incident, stressing its commitment to the existing ceasefire and hostage swap agreement.

A Fragile Truce and Mounting Toll

The recent violence threatens a US-sponsored agreement that had aimed to de-escalate the conflict. The plan, which included a hostage-prisoner exchange and a long-term vision for rebuilding Gaza, now appears increasingly precarious. The latest casualties add to the devastating human cost of the war, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has killed tens of thousands and injured many more since it began.