Israeli armed forces carried out a fresh series of air and artillery strikes across the Gaza Strip this week, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including women, children and a paramedic, health officials in Gaza said, as violence flared following clashes along the frontier. The strikes hit residential neighbourhoods in Gaza City and Khan Younis, leaving dozens more wounded and adding to a grim toll in the besieged territory.
The Israeli military said the bombardment targeted sites used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, claiming the assault was in retaliation for recent attacks in which fighters opened fire on Israeli soldiers and wounded at least one reservist near the Gaza border. Israel described the operations as precision responses against those it labels terrorist infrastructure.
The violence has eroded a fragile ceasefire that has intermittently held since late 2023, with both sides accusing the other of breaches. Arab and international mediators have condemned the renewed bloodshed, calling for an urgent return to dialogue to prevent further civilian suffering. Humanitarian groups warn that hospitals and relief systems in Gaza are struggling to cope with the rising number of casualties.
news as reported
