Israeli Airstrikes Kill Eight in Gaza as Ceasefire Friction Continues

Residents of the Gaza Strip faced renewed violence on Sunday when two distinct Israeli strikes claimed the lives of at least eight Palestinians. The attacks occurred in two different areas of the enclave, adding to the toll of casualties that have mounted since the ceasefire was established a year ago.

Medics reported that three people died in an airstrike targeting Gaza City. In a separate incident, the Hamas-run interior ministry confirmed that five police officers were killed in western Khan Younis. The Israeli military stated that it struck several militants in the Khan Younis area but did not immediately comment on the strike in the city.

The fighting comes as Israel asserts that Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the one-year-old truce. The Israeli military has increased its operations against the group in recent weeks. Hamas has denied rebuilding its arsenal or planning new attacks, instead accusing Israel of weakening the peace deal.

Negotiations for the US-brokered agreement have stalled. Parties have failed to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm or for Israel to withdraw its troops, who currently control about two-thirds of the territory. In the areas under Israeli control, residents have been ordered to leave their homes.

More than two million residents remain in the remaining third of the enclave. They live among war ruins, mostly in makeshift tents and damaged buildings, in areas still under effective Hamas control. Palestinian health officials say at least 1,500 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, while Israel reports four soldier deaths.

Since Israel launched its assault on Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel, Palestinian authorities count more than 74,000 total deaths in the territory.