A wave of Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza City and surrounding areas, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to carry out immediate strikes, accusing Hamas of violating the recently established ceasefire.
According to Gaza civil defence sources, at least three airstrikes targeted multiple neighborhoods, including the courtyard of al‑Shifa Hospital, the Sabra district in the south of Gaza City, and parts of Khan Younis and Deir al‑Balah. At least eleven people were killed, and several others were injured.
In the Amal district, west of Khan Younis, two people, including a child, lost their lives. In the Sabra district, an Israeli airstrike hit a residence belonging to the al‑Bana family, killing four people — three women and one man — and wounding four others, including a child and an infant.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Early reports indicate that the strikes affected an area near Gaza’s largest still‑operational hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli attacks followed an incident in southern Gaza in which Israeli forces reportedly came under fire, sparking anger in Israel. The ceasefire had been in place for only three weeks, since 10 October, and both sides have previously accused each other of violations.
Hamas denied any connection to the Rafah incident, stating it had not attacked Israeli soldiers and reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire. The organization condemned the Israeli strikes as a serious violation of the truce and called on mediators to pressure Israel to halt its “dangerous violations.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance sought to downplay the incident, telling journalists that minor clashes may occur but the ceasefire would remain in place. He claimed that Hamas had attacked one IDF soldier, and Israeli retaliation was expected.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for the attack on Israeli troops. He said the attack crossed a “clear red line,” which the IDF would respond to with “great force,” and stressed that Hamas would be punished multiple times both for the attack and for violating the agreement on the return of hostage bodies.
