Gaza Violence Surges: 24 Dead Amid Israel-Hamas Tensions Days after Rafah Reopening

Fresh Israeli strikes in Gaza kill civilians, including children, threatening a fragile ceasefire just after limited border access eased humanitarian aid.

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is under increased pressure following a new wave of violence in the Gaza Strip brought on by an increase in Israeli strikes. At least 24 Palestinians, including women and children, passed away as a result of the recent attacks, according to health officials on Wednesday.

The violence occurred just days after the long‐shuttered Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened in a limited capacity under the terms of a US‐led truce designed to ease humanitarian suffering. The partial reopening of the crossing has facilitated limited medical evacuations and carriages of non‐military personnel; however, officials have indicated that the reopening has also resulted in delays due to coordination issues and increased security checks preventing many from travelling.

The recent Israeli strikes targeted population centers within Gaza, including areas of high population density in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Those killed included five children, seven women, and a paramedic on duty, as well as additional members of the same family, according to health authorities in the Gaza Strip. Hospitals in Gaza are straining to find suitable medical treatment for the continued influx of patients from the violence, as has happened with every conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories.

According to the Israeli military, the aforementioned military operations were carried out in reaction to a gunman shooting an Israeli reservist near the cease-fire line and to destroy militant targets inside Gaza. The military said that their troops working in the Gaza Strip are still under threat because of the violence against them. The Israeli army also suggested that they had previously killed several militant leaders as a result of their operational activity.