Israeli artillery hits Gaza areas, despite active ceasefire: local reports

Israeli artillery units have targeted multiple locations across the Gaza Strip early Friday, according to accounts from local Palestinian sources. The strikes reportedly occurred in areas that remain under Israeli military deployment and control despite the nominal ceasefire agreement currently in effect.

Strikes reported across central and southern Gaza

Local sources indicated that Israeli artillery fire hit several locations east of Gaza City, within zones that have been under continuous Israeli military control. Separate artillery strikes were also reported targeting areas north of the southern city of Rafah, which sources described as remaining fully under Israeli authority. Additionally, Israeli military vehicles were said to have opened fire randomly in areas east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. These incidents collectively point to ongoing military activity in territories where Israeli forces maintain a significant presence.

A fragile ceasefire and mounting casualties

The reported shelling and gunfire raise immediate questions about the stability of the truce that halted a devastating two-year conflict. According to Palestinian health authorities, Israeli military actions since the ceasefire began have resulted in 477 Palestinian fatalities and 1,301 injuries, which are categorized as alleged violations of the agreement. The underlying war, which started in October 2023, caused catastrophic damage, killing over 71,000 Palestinians and wounding more than 171,000 others.

The scale of destruction and the path forward

The conflict left approximately 90% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure damaged or destroyed. The United Nations has estimated the cost of reconstruction at roughly $70 billion, underscoring the monumental task of recovery. These latest reported violations threaten the fragile process of postwar stabilization and humanitarian aid delivery. They underscore the critical importance of strict adherence to ceasefire terms and the urgent need for a durable political solution, a position consistently advocated by Türkiye and other members of the international community working toward a just and lasting peace.