Israel launched a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip overnight on Tuesday, leaving at least nine dead, Palestinian media reported.
The bombings, which occurred in Khan Younis and Gaza City, represent a new violation of the ceasefire agreement promoted by the US administration and international mediators.
The Palestinian movement Hamas denounced the attacks as a “serious violation” of the truce agreement, while Israel justified its actions as a response to alleged provocations by Hamas. This new episode of violence threatens to derail fragile peace efforts in the region.
Ceasefire in Gaza does not stop deaths, as humanitarian aid arrives in the Palestinian enclave
The attacks and their consequences
According to the Palestinian media Al Qudsaffiliated with Hamas, five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike against a vehicle in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, while four others lost their lives in bombings in Gaza City, in the north of the enclave.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not issued official statements about the attacks, but Israeli government sources insist that it was a response to ceasefire violations by Hamas.
Hamas, for its part, denied any responsibility for the incidents that Israel alleges as justification for the bombings. In a statement, the group accused Israel of “continuing a series of dangerous violations” and demanded that international mediators pressure Tel Aviv to respect the ceasefire agreement.
Crossed accusations and growing tensions
Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated in recent days, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce agreement.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of faking the recovery of the body of an Israeli hostage, whose body had already been recovered by the IDF two years ago. This incident, according to Israel, is a clear violation of the terms of the agreement.
On the other hand, Hamas blames Jerusalem for obstructing efforts to locate and return the bodies of the 13 deceased Israeli hostages still remaining in Gaza. The group claims that Israeli forces have prevented access to search equipment and machinery necessary for operations, making it difficult to fulfill agreed commitments.
The role of international mediators
The ceasefire agreement, promoted by the administration of US President Donald Trump, was signed on October 9 after intense negotiations sponsored by Egypt with the participation of mediators from the host country, Qatar and Turkey.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza a violation of the ceasefire.
The Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over reports of civilian casualties as a result of these attacks and stressed that “full compliance with the ceasefire is essential to maintain hope for lasting peace and ensure regional security.”
The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office confirmed that Israel, in accordance with the agreement, released 1,718 Gazan prisoners and 250 Palestinians who were serving life sentences or long prison sentences.
Hamas explains
Hamas is currently returning the remains of hostages who died in captivity to Israel. Under the terms of the agreement, the movement must return the 28 bodies still in its possession; However, so far only 15 hostages have been returned and identified, said a dispatch from the Russian agency Sputnik.
““Israel has explicitly rejected the entry of joint teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Palestinian resistance into various areas of the Gaza Strip to carry out this task,” a Hamas statement said, explaining that the occupation army has prevented the entry of machinery and equipment necessary for search operations.
Last Sunday, the Palestinian factions expanded the search for new bodies to areas beyond the so-called “Yellow Line”, the part that continues under military control of the Israeli Army, which continues to dominate 53% of the enclave despite a partial withdrawal.
Vance says ceasefire holds
The vice president of the United States, JD Vance, said this Tuesday that the ceasefire in Gaza is maintained despite “skirmishes,” as he called Israel’s bombing of positions in the Strip.
“The ceasefire holds. That doesn’t mean there won’t be small skirmishes,” Vance said in statements broadcast by Fox News and published on social media by the White House.
