Israeli forces engaged in intense battles with Hamas-led fighters across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. According to Palestinian health officials, at least 17 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting southern and central regions of Gaza.
Escalation and Accusations
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has accused Israel of intensifying attacks in an attempt to derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Arab states and the United States. Israel, however, maintains that its operations aim to eliminate Hamas fighters entrenched in the region.
Casualties and Strikes
In Rafah, a southern border city where Israeli forces have been active since May, an airstrike on a house resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians. In the nearby city of Khan Younis, a man, his wife, and their two children were killed in another airstrike.
Further casualties were reported in the historic Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, where four Palestinians were killed due to shelling and aerial strikes. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike in Sheikh Zayed, northern Gaza, claimed the lives of four individuals.
Israeli Military Operations
The Israeli military reported continued “intelligence-based” operations in Rafah, targeting militants, tunnels, and other Hamas military infrastructure. The Israeli air force struck approximately 40 targets across Gaza, including sniping and observation posts, military structures, and buildings laden with explosives.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad Responses
Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for attacking Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. Islamic Jihad’s armed wing reported missile fire at Sderot in southern Israel, though there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
Context of the Conflict
Israel’s offensive follows a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages. In the subsequent Israeli retaliation, Gaza health authorities report over 38,000 Palestinian deaths, with significant destruction across the region. Israel has also reported the loss of 326 soldiers in the conflict.
Humanitarian Impact and Calls for Ceasefire
Relatives in Gaza visited Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah to mourn their loved ones before funerals. The humanitarian toll is stark, with many Palestinians expressing exhaustion and desperation for a resolution. “This is so unfair… every minute there is a martyr,” said Sahar Abu Emeira, reflecting widespread despair.
Ceasefire Negotiations
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire, primarily led by Egypt and Qatar, had shown promise but stalled recently. The breakdown followed a significant Israeli strike targeting Hamas’ military chief, Mohammed Deif, resulting in over 90 deaths and hundreds of injuries in Khan Younis.
Despite the escalation, a Palestinian official involved in the negotiations asserted that Hamas remains committed to the peace process, pushing for reciprocal flexibility from Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department confirmed Israel’s continued commitment to achieving a ceasefire.
As the conflict endures, the international community watches closely, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to the devastating hostilities.
