• Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 to 12 Palestinians.
• The strikes are a response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, as claimed by Israeli officials.
• The violence has continued despite a US-backed ceasefire agreement in place since October.

Israeli airstrikes on Sunday have killed at least 11 to 12 Palestinians in various locations across the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation as these attacks follow allegations of ceasefire violations by Hamas. Reports indicate that strikes in the Khan Younis area killed five individuals while another strike targeting a tent housing displaced families in northern Gaza resulted in four fatalities, according to sources from Gaza's health ministry and civil defense teams. Separate claims by various media sources cite that the death toll could be as high as twelve due to ongoing bombardments in the area, which includes strikes near the University College in Tal al-Hawa and Beit Lahia roundabout, as reported by Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Middle East Eye.

Israeli officials frame these airstrikes as necessary responses to Hamas's repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect since October 10, 2023. They assert that Hamas has committed over 1,600 violations and are accused of deploying militants near the so-called "Yellow Line," a military boundary designated by Israel. In contrast, Palestinian officials have condemned these bombings as blatant violations of the ceasefire and an act of aggression against civilians, describing them as a "new massacre," as articulated by spokesperson Hazem Qassem, according to sources such as BBC and South China Morning Post.

The backdrop to this conflict includes the scheduled inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump's newly formed "Board of Peace" aimed at addressing the ongoing situation in Gaza. This meeting is intended to serve as a platform for international cooperation in reconstructing Gaza, with the US reportedly preparing a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction initiative while emphasizing the necessity for Hamas to demilitarize. Trump has publicly called for adherence to the ceasefire rules by all parties involved, underscoring the complicated dynamics at play, as reported by AA and Al Jazeera.