Israel resumed intense airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, breaking a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19. According to local health authorities, at least 85 Palestinians were killed in the overnight attacks, which continued into Thursday. The strikes targeted multiple homes, resulting in the deaths of men, women, and children who were sleeping at the time.
One such strike occurred early Thursday, hitting the home of the Abu Daqa family in Abasan al-Kabira, a village near Khan Younis, close to the Israeli border. This area had been evacuated earlier in the week, as the Israeli military had ordered the relocation of residents from most of eastern Gaza. At least 16 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the attack, according to the nearby European Hospital, which received the bodies. Among the victims were a father and his seven children, as well as the parents and brother of a month-old baby who survived, along with her grandparents.
“Another tough night,” said Hani Awad, who assisted rescuers searching for survivors in the rubble. “The house collapsed over the people’s heads.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed responsibility for striking dozens of militant targets throughout Gaza, killing several fighters and destroying military infrastructure. Additionally, the IDF reported that late Wednesday, “projectiles” launched from Gaza triggered air raid sirens in central Israel. This marked the first rocket attack from Gaza since Israel resumed its bombardment early Tuesday, effectively ending the ceasefire.
The Israeli military also reimposed a blockade on northern Gaza, including Gaza City, restricting access and allowing passage only to the south via the coastal road. Furthermore, it warned residents not to use the main highway to enter or exit northern Gaza.
On Tuesday alone, over 400 Palestinians were killed, the majority of whom were women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Officials did not differentiate between civilians and combatants in their casualty reports.
