Israeli air strikes killed at least 28 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to local rescue and medical officials, as fighting continued despite ongoing efforts to stabilise a fragile ceasefire. Gaza’s civil defence agency said the strikes hit several areas, including Gaza City, Khan Younis and parts of northern Gaza, with women and children among the dead. Dozens of others were injured and taken to already overwhelmed hospitals, where doctors said shortages of fuel, medicine and medical supplies were worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Residents and rescue workers reported that some of the strikes hit residential buildings and areas sheltering displaced families, leaving people trapped under rubble. Emergency crews worked through the night to recover bodies and provide first aid, while hospital officials said some victims died before reaching medical facilities due to delays caused by damaged roads and ongoing bombardment. Images shared by local media showed widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure.
The Israeli military said the air strikes were carried out in response to what it described as violations of a ceasefire agreement by armed groups in Gaza. Israeli officials stated that the targets were militant positions and that efforts were made to minimise civilian harm, though they did not immediately comment on specific incidents cited by Palestinian officials. Hamas and other Palestinian groups rejected Israel’s account, accusing it of escalating attacks and endangering civilians.
The latest violence comes amid renewed international efforts to ease tensions and increase humanitarian access to Gaza, including plans to partially reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Aid agencies have warned that repeated outbreaks of violence are undermining relief operations and deepening the suffering of Gaza’s population, most of whom have already been displaced multiple times during the conflict.
Since the war began in October 2023, Palestinian health authorities say tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza, a figure broadly cited by international organisations and media outlets. Despite periodic ceasefires, clashes have continued, highlighting the instability of truce arrangements and the difficulty of achieving a lasting halt to the fighting.
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