Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Result in 22 Palestinian Fatalities Amid Ceasefire Violation Claims

Israeli airstrikes conducted across the Gaza Strip on Saturday resulted in the deaths of 22 Palestinians, according to statements from Hamas medical and civil defence officials. The strikes occurred amidst mutual accusations of ceasefire violations by both Israeli and Hamas representatives.\n\nIsraeli Account of Events\n\nThe Israeli military reported that its strikes in Gaza were a response to an incident earlier on Saturday. It stated that an armed individual had fired at soldiers after crossing the 'yellow line,' which designates areas under full Israeli control. The military confirmed hitting five sites.\n\nA statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later asserted that Hamas had violated the ceasefire by sending an individual into Israeli-held territory to attack IDF soldiers, and that Israel subsequently eliminated five 'senior Hamas terrorists.' The statement also urged mediators to ensure Hamas fulfills its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.\n\nHamas Response and Casualties\n\nHamas denied the Israeli claim regarding the initial incident. Following the strikes, Hamas stated that Israel's westward movement of the yellow line and continued bombardment of eastern Gaza constituted a 'breach' of the agreement. The group called upon mediators and the United States to intervene, alleging that Israel was attempting to impose 'new facts on the ground' and undermine the ceasefire.\n\nHamas medical and civil defence officials detailed the locations of the fatalities:\n* Five individuals were killed at the Abbas junction in Gaza City's Rimal area. Witnesses reported an Israeli strike setting a car on fire.\n* Three people died near a mosque in Deir al-Balah.\n* Two houses were targeted in Nuseirat. Three individuals were killed after the home of the Abu Amouneh family was hit, and seven others died in a strike on the Abu Shawish family's residence.\n* Three additional fatalities were reported later on Saturday following a strike on a house in western Gaza City.\n\nLocal sources indicated that a senior Hamas commander was among those killed.\n\nBroader Conflict Context\n\nGaza's health ministry reports that over 310 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire agreement came into effect six weeks prior. The ministry further states that at least 69,500 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the commencement of the Israeli offensive, which began in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That earlier attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals being taken hostage.