Israeli strike kills two Palestinians in southern Gaza, violating ceasefire

Israeli forces killed two Palestinians and wounded 10 others in southern Gaza on Tuesday, marking a new violation of a ceasefire deal in place since Oct. 10, medics said. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that the casualties were reported in an airstrike targeting a civilian vehicle in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Yunis city. It did not provide further details on the condition of those injured.

Displacement camp targeted

Witnesses told Anadolu that the area where the vehicle was struck is crowded with tents housing displaced civilians. The targeting of a location sheltering displaced families raises additional humanitarian concerns amid ongoing violations.

Ceasefire violations mount

Israeli forces have violated the Oct. 10 ceasefire on a near-daily basis, resulting in 671 deaths and 1,779 injuries, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The continuing toll demonstrates the fragility of the truce agreement and the ongoing danger to Palestinian civilians despite the formal cessation of major hostilities.

War context

The ceasefire has halted Israel's two-year war on Gaza, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured about 172,000 since Oct. 8, 2023, along with widespread destruction affecting 90% of infrastructure. The conflict has left Gaza's healthcare system collapsed and reconstruction needs estimated at $70 billion.

Regional escalation

Tuesday's strike comes amid broader regional escalation since the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,300 people including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While Gaza has been relatively quiet compared to other fronts, daily ceasefire violations continue to claim Palestinian lives.