Israeli forces shell Gaza, demolish buildings amid ongoing ceasefire violations

Israeli military forces launched a new round of attacks across the Gaza Strip early Saturday, conducting artillery strikes and targeted demolitions in violation of the standing ceasefire agreement. The operations included shelling in northern Gaza and the destruction of buildings east of Khan Younis in the south, with a massive explosion reported across wide areas of the besieged enclave.

Details of the military operations

According to eyewitness accounts, Israeli artillery targeted locations east of Gaza City and east of Jabalia in northern Gaza. Concurrently, the Israeli army carried out deliberate demolition operations, destroying buildings and homes east of Khan Younis. The explosion from these demolitions was powerful enough to be heard across large swaths of the territory. Additionally, Israeli naval vessels fired toward the coastlines of Rafah and Khan Younis, and a military helicopter fired shots over Rafah.

Context of the violated ceasefire

These actions are reported as part of Israel's routine daily breaches of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10. The truce had ended a devastating two-year Israeli offensive that resulted in nearly 72,000 Palestinian fatalities, over 171,000 injuries, and the destruction of approximately 90% of Gaza's infrastructure. Despite a U.S. announcement in January that a second phase of the agreement had begun—a phase meant to include further Israeli troop withdrawals and the launch of a massive $70 billion UN-led reconstruction plan—military violations have continued unabated.

Ongoing human toll and political stalemate

Gaza's Health Ministry reports that since the ceasefire began, ongoing Israeli military actions have killed 574 Palestinians and wounded 1,518 others. The persistent violence underscores the fragility of the truce and the failure to implement its political components. The continuous cycle of attacks and demolitions, even during a nominal period of ceasefire, deepens the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and casts serious doubt on the viability of the diplomatic process aimed at achieving a lasting peace and enabling reconstruction.