At least 27 people have been killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to local authorities.
The civil defence agency, which is operated by Hamas, says children and women were among those killed. It added that in one attack, helicopter gunships hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Palestinians have described these strikes as the heaviest since the second phase of the ceasefire, brokered by President Trump in October, came into effect earlier this month.
The Israeli military confirmed that a number of strikes were carried out in response to what it said was a Hamas violation of the agreement on Friday.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce since it came into effect last year. The IDF stated that eight terrorists were identified exiting the underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah, where strikes were directed.
The IDF reported that targeted locations included commanders and terror infrastructure, and Hamas has strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them as violations of international law.
Victims included members of the same displaced family, with reports indicating that residential structures, shelters, and even a police station were hit in the bombardments.
Officials at Gaza City's Shifa hospital revealed that three children and two women were killed in an air strike on a residential apartment.
The ongoing violence has significantly exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with the war claiming more than 71,660 lives since it began on October 7, 2023, as reported by Hamas-run health ministry, which has seen its findings broadly supported by international monitors.
Recent images from Gaza depict extensive destruction, raising urgent calls for action to address civilian suffering and potential violations of human rights amidst ongoing military operations.
