Israeli Strikes in Gaza Result in 25 Palestinian Fatalities
Gaza Casualties Reported
The Hamas-run health ministry reported a minimum of 25 Palestinian fatalities following Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Some of the deceased were transported to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defence agency, stated that Israeli air, drone, and artillery strikes targeted multiple locations in Gaza City and Khan Younis shortly after sunset.
Incident Details
In the eastern Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, rescuers reported that 10 individuals, including a woman and a young girl, were killed when a religious endowments ministry building was hit. The Civil Defence agency indicated severe damage to the building and surrounding structures, sharing video footage of rescue efforts. Anadolu news agency published images of three children reportedly recovered from the scene.
Separately in Gaza City, a drone strike at Shejaiya junction on Salah al-Din Street resulted in one fatality and several injuries. Another individual was killed when a tank shell struck a house belonging to the Balboul family on Mushtaha Street in eastern Gaza City.
In Khan Younis, three people were killed and several wounded in a strike on a group within a sports club operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Israeli Military Statement
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that earlier on Wednesday, "several terrorists opened fire toward the area where IDF soldiers are operating in Khan Younis." The IDF described this action as "a violation of the ceasefire agreement" and reported no Israeli casualties. In response, the IDF initiated strikes against "Hamas terrorist targets across the Gaza Strip."
Israeli public broadcaster Kan, citing a security source, indicated that targets included the commander of Hamas's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades' Zeitoun Battalion and its naval force commander.
Ceasefire and International Context
These strikes occurred after a period of relative calm and followed the UN Security Council's passage of a resolution on Monday. The resolution endorsed a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, aiming to reinforce the ceasefire that commenced on October 10. The plan includes the establishment of a Board of Peace, to be chaired by President Trump, and a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) tasked with overseeing the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
President Trump characterized the resolution as "a moment of true historic proportion." Hamas reiterated its position that it would not relinquish its weapons without the establishment of a Palestinian state, referring to its actions against Israel as "legitimate 'resistance'." Israel's ambassador to the UN emphasized the necessity of disarmament, stating that Israel would continue its efforts until Hamas no longer presented "a threat."
Background of the Conflict
The Israeli military launched its offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 69,500 Palestinian fatalities in Israeli attacks in Gaza, including 280 during the ceasefire period.