21 Killed in Gaza as Israel-Hamas Truce Faces New Tensions

Gaza witnessed one of its deadliest days on Saturday since the current truce between Israel and Hamas began on October 10. At least 21 people were killed and dozens were injured after a series of air strikes hit different areas of the Gaza Strip, once again shaking the fragile ceasefire that has been in place for more than a month.

According to Gaza’s civil defence teams, the strikes took place in several neighbourhoods across the region. Seven people died and more than 16 were injured when a house in Nuseirat, located in central Gaza, was hit. Another four people were killed in the Al-Nasr district in western Gaza City after a residential apartment was struck. The first reported attack targeted a vehicle in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood, killing five people on the spot. Witnesses said people rushed to the burnt vehicle, with some children attempting to gather food scattered near the wreckage.

The Israeli military said the air strikes were launched in response to an incident earlier in the day. According to their statement, an armed individual crossed the Yellow Line—an area inside Gaza from which Israeli troops had pulled back—and fired at Israeli soldiers. The route where this took place is commonly used for humanitarian aid deliveries. Israel said it targeted “terror sites” in Gaza following the attack.

The office of Israel’s prime minister accused Hamas of breaking the truce by sending the shooter into the area. The statement said that Israel had “fully respected the ceasefire” while claiming that Hamas fighters had repeatedly crossed into Israeli-held zones throughout the truce period.

Hamas, on the other hand, denied violating the agreement. The group accused Israel of attempting to weaken the truce by increasing its military actions. It urged international mediators to step in quickly and pressure Israel to halt the attacks, saying the rising violence threatened the stability of the ceasefire.

This is not the first time the truce has been strained. Just days earlier, Gaza saw another deadly escalation with 27 people reported killed. Health authorities in Gaza say that more than 300 people have died in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began.

The long-running conflict escalated sharply after October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a major attack that resulted in more than 1,200 deaths in Israel. Israel’s response has since caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with tens of thousands of people reported killed.

Saturday’s events highlight how fragile the current ceasefire remains, as both sides continue to exchange blame. Mediators now face increasing pressure to prevent further escalation and keep the truce from collapsing completely.