Deadly Strikes Hit Police Station, Homes, and Displaced Camp
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday killed at least 27 people, including three children, Palestinian health officials reported. The attacks struck multiple locations across Gaza, including a police station, residential homes, and a tent camp sheltering displaced Palestinians. The strikes caused widespread destruction and heavy casualties, leaving families grieving and rescue teams searching for survivors.
The most deadly hit was on the Sheikh Radwan police station west of Gaza City. Local officials said the strike killed 10 police officers and detainees. Rescue teams were still searching the rubble for more victims. Other strikes hit homes in Gaza City and a tent encampment in Khan Younis, where many displaced families have been living since the war began. Video footage from the area showed collapsed buildings and debris scattered across streets and residential areas.
The death of three children deeply shocked residents. Samer al-Atbash, the uncle of the children, expressed grief and anger. He said, “We found my three little nieces in the street. They say ‘ceasefire’ and all. What did those children do? What did we do?”
Israel Says Strikes Targeted Militants After Tunnel Incident
The Israeli military said the strikes were carried out in response to an incident in Rafah on Friday. Israeli troops said they identified eight gunmen emerging from a tunnel in Rafah. Three of the gunmen were killed and a Hamas commander was arrested. Hamas did not comment on the incident.
Israel said the targets included Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders, weapon caches, and manufacturing sites. The military claimed the strikes were a response to a violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreed in October 2023. The ceasefire had ended two years of war that devastated much of Gaza.
Hamas, which controls just under half of Gaza, said Israel violated the truce. However, the group did not confirm whether any of its members were killed in the strikes.
Rising Tension Ahead of Rafah Crossing Reopening
The airstrikes occurred a day before the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was due to reopen. The reopening is part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war. The plan includes phases such as Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and deployment of an international peacekeeping force.
Violence has repeatedly shaken the ceasefire since October 2023. Gaza health authorities say more than 500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began. Israeli officials say Palestinian militants have killed four Israeli soldiers in the same period. Both sides continue to blame each other for violations.
Dozens of Palestinian fighters are believed to be trapped in tunnels under Rafah, where previous clashes have killed some militants. Washington has urged both sides to proceed with the next steps of the ceasefire plan, but the latest attacks raise fears of renewed escalation.
Hamas has proposed integrating its 10,000 police officers into a new Palestinian administration in Gaza. Israel has expressed skepticism over this proposal, and negotiations remain tense as the region waits to see if the ceasefire can hold.
