Credited from: BBC
Five Palestinians, including two children, were killed in Israeli air strikes on Wednesday evening, targeting tents sheltering displaced individuals in Khan Younis, Gaza. Medical sources confirmed that the attack violated a ceasefire agreement, raising concerns about civilian safety and human rights in the region, according to Anadolu Agency, BBC, and Middle East Eye.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes came in response to an exchange of fire in Rafah, where five Israeli soldiers were allegedly injured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of "responding accordingly" to such incidents, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting troops, as reported by BBC and Middle East Eye. However, local medics and officials criticized this justification, asserting that the air strikes hit a humanitarian zone and that the victims were not engaged in any combat.
The escalation marks a continuation of a troubling trend, with reports indicating that nearly 600 breaches of the ceasefire have occurred since it was established in October, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Hamas has described the attacks as "blatant war crimes" and urged international mediators to intervene, as stated by Middle East Eye.