GAZA CITY — At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Thursday after Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas across the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials, in one of the deadliest flare-ups since the temporary truce began six weeks ago.
Israel’s military said the strikes were launched in response to gunfire from Palestinian militants, who allegedly opened fire on Israeli troops stationed near the central Gaza corridor. The army described its actions as “targeted defensive operations” aimed at neutralizing immediate threats.
The latest violence underscores the fragility of the cease-fire, which has been repeatedly strained by sporadic clashes, cross-border fire, and accusations from both sides of violating the agreement. Although neither Israel nor Hamas has declared the truce void, tensions have steadily escalated.
Civilian Toll Rising
Gazan officials reported casualties in residential neighborhoods and near a marketplace, saying that several of those killed were women and children. Emergency crews struggled to reach some areas due to damaged roads and ongoing drone activity overhead.
International humanitarian groups warned that even brief escalations threaten to push Gaza’s already strained health system further toward collapse.
Israel Blames Militant Provocations
The Israeli military said that militants had exploited the calm to reposition fighters and prepare attacks. “We will respond forcefully to any aggression against our forces,” an army spokesperson said, adding that Israel remained committed to the cease-fire “as long as quiet is maintained.”
Growing Diplomatic Concern
Regional mediators in Egypt and Qatar expressed concern that continued violence could unravel the truce entirely, undermining ongoing negotiations on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian access.
The United Nations called for “maximum restraint,” warning that renewed fighting would have “catastrophic consequences” for civilians on both sides.
A Cease-fire Under Pressure
The six-week pause in large-scale fighting had allowed limited aid deliveries and temporary returns for displaced families, but trust between the warring parties remains extremely thin. Analysts say both sides appear to be operating under a tense mix of cooperation and confrontation.
For residents of Gaza, the fear is simple: even one night of fighting can erase weeks of fragile calm.
