Gaza, Nov 21: A pair of Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza, on Thursday killed five people, bringing the total death toll from strikes across the Palestinian territory over roughly 12 hours to 33.These have been among the deadliest attacks since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10.
The escalation followed Israeli claims that its soldiers came under fire in Khan Younis on Wednesday; no Israeli soldiers were killed, but Israel responded with airstrikes.
Hospital officials reported that Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received 17 bodies, including five women and five children, following four strikes targeting tents sheltering displaced people. In Gaza City, two airstrikes on a building killed 16 individuals, including seven children and three women, according to Al-Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.
Hamas condemned the attacks as a “shocking massacre” and denied firing on Israeli forces.
The recent strikes have put the ceasefire under renewed pressure. Hospital officials noted that the casualties occurred on both sides of the boundary established by the ceasefire last month, which divides Gaza into two zones: one under Israeli military control and a safe zone beyond the line.
While strikes have decreased since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that over 300 people have been killed since the truce began, averaging more than seven deaths per day. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating ceasefire terms, which include increasing aid into Gaza and returning hostages to Israel.
The 33 deaths are part of the broader toll of more than 69,000 Palestinians killed since Israel launched its extensive offensive over two years ago in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that left approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, dead and saw the abduction of 251 individuals.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, run by the Hamas government, maintains detailed records that are considered reliable by the UN and independent experts.
Simultaneously, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, including weapons storage facilities, highlighting a widening regional dimension to the conflict.
These operations coincided with ongoing tensions in Gaza, suggesting a broader Israeli effort to counter perceived threats from both Hamas and Hezbollah.