Israeli strikes kill 37 Palestinians across Gaza despite ceasefire agreement

A series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip over a 24-hour period has left at least 37 Palestinians dead and many more injured, according to reports from medical sources and Gaza's Civil Defense on Saturday. The strikes hit multiple locations, including residential neighborhoods in Gaza City and a camp for displaced persons in Khan Younis, underscoring the fragile and volatile situation despite a broader ceasefire.

Deadly Incidents Across the Enclave

The violence was widespread. In western Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood, an airstrike on a residential apartment killed five Palestinians, including three children and two women. Further south, in the Asdaa area northwest of Khan Younis, a strike on a tent sheltering displaced people killed seven individuals from one family, including young grandchildren. Separate strikes in Gaza City's al-Tuffah and al-Nasr neighborhoods, as well as east of Jabalia in the north, claimed additional lives.

Targeting of Displacement Camp and Police Station

A particularly notable strike targeted the "Ghaith" displacement camp near Al-Ribat College in Khan Younis' Al-Mawasi area. The attack, which followed an Israeli evacuation warning, caused a major fire that destroyed tents and required civil defense crews to intervene. In a separate incident, Israeli warplanes struck the Sheikh Radwan police station west of Gaza City. Gaza's Interior Ministry reported casualties among police officers and personnel, with a medical source stating 13 fatalities and the Civil Defense confirming four female officers were among the victims. Rescue operations continued for people believed trapped under the rubble.

Ceasefire Context and Mounting Toll

These incidents occur within the framework of a ceasefire that took effect in early October. However, the Gaza media office reported on Saturday that Israeli actions since then have killed 524 Palestinians and wounded 1,360 others, constituting what it termed 1,450 violations of the agreement. The office also noted that Israeli forces have arrested 50 Palestinians from residential areas and that Israel's compliance with agreed-upon humanitarian aid deliveries stands at only 43%. This latest violence is a stark reminder of the devastating legacy of the preceding two-year war, which caused massive Palestinian casualties and infrastructure destruction.