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Gaza Ceasefire Strained by Continuing Israeli Strikes and Reported Civilian Casualties

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Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain: A Timeline of Post-October Hostilities

Since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have continued, resulting in hundreds of reported casualties.

Summary

On several dates following the October ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes and military fire have killed scores of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza hospital officials and the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The Israeli military has stated that its operations are in response to ceasefire violations, including militant attacks and shooting incidents.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, remains under strain as both sides accuse each other of violations. The Rafah border crossing has partially reopened for limited passenger movement but has faced closures and procedural delays.

Timeline of Reported Incidents

October Ceasefire and Initial Period (October 10 Onwards)

  • The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10.
  • Since that date, the Israeli military has conducted airstrikes and fired on Palestinians near military zones.
  • The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that at least 586 Palestinian deaths have occurred since the ceasefire began — a figure generally considered reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. The ministry's figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
  • Israel’s military has reported four Israeli soldiers killed in militant attacks during the same period.

Friday: Airstrikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis

  • Israeli strikes killed at least 13 people.
  • In Gaza City, two men were killed. The Israeli military stated it targeted two militants after warning civilians.
  • In Khan Younis, eight people were killed, including four police officers, in a strike on a police vehicle.
  • Khalid Al-Tanani reported that his wife Islam and their children Hamza (age 4) and Naya (age 13) were killed in Beit Lahiya. Hamza's twin survived.

Saturday: Multiple Strikes Across Gaza

At least 23 Palestinians were killed — marking one of the highest daily tolls since the ceasefire.

  • Gaza City: An airstrike on an apartment building killed three children, their aunt, and grandmother.
  • Khan Younis: A tent camp was struck, causing a fire that killed seven people, including a father, his three children, and three grandchildren.
  • Gaza City Police Station: An airstrike killed at least 11 people, including four policewomen and inmates. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported Palestinian civilians were also killed.
  • Israel accused Hamas of new ceasefire violations the previous day.
  • An unnamed Israeli military official stated the strikes were conducted in response to those alleged violations.

Sunday: Drone Strikes and Fatalities

  • At least 11 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire.
  • In the eastern sector of Khan Younis, five men in their 20s were killed near the "Yellow Line" — the boundary separating Israeli-controlled zones.
  • In northern Gaza, a drone strike in the Falluja area of Jabaliya refugee camp killed five people. A separate drone strike in Gaza City killed one man.
  • Israel’s military stated it executed strikes in response to ceasefire violations near the Yellow Line, including militants attempting to cross while armed.

Sunday (Early March): Airstrike in Nuseirat

  • An airstrike on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed four people, including a couple, their 10-year-old son, and a 15-year-old neighbor. The woman was pregnant with twins. Neighbors reported no prior warning.
  • Separately, a strike on a police vehicle in Zawaida killed eight police officers, including Col. Iyad Ab Yousef.
  • The Israeli military did not comment on either strike.

Tuesday: Drone Strike in Deir al-Balah

  • An Israeli drone strike killed two Palestinians on bicycles near the ceasefire line.

Wednesday: Strikes in Tuffah, Khan Younis, and Zaytoun

At least 21 Palestinians were killed, including two infants, five children, seven women, and a paramedic.

  • Tuffah Neighborhood (Gaza City): At least 11 people were killed in an early morning strike, many from the same family. The deceased included two parents, a 10-day-old girl, her 5-month-old cousin, and the children’s grandmother.
  • Khan Younis: A strike on a family tent killed three people, including a 12-year-old boy. A separate strike in the Muwasi area killed two people, including paramedic Hussein Hassan Hussein al-Semieri.
  • Zaytoun (Gaza City): Tank shelling killed three Palestinians.
  • The Israeli military stated it was responding to a militant attack that seriously wounded a soldier.
  • The Gaza Health Ministry reported 38 wounded that day.

Rafah Border Crossing Status

The Rafah crossing, connecting Gaza with Egypt, had been closed for most of the conflict. It was scheduled for a limited reopening as part of the ceasefire’s second phase.

  • Partial Reopening: On Monday, the crossing facilitated limited passage for some Palestinians for the first time in months.
  • Closure and Delays: Soon after, Israel halted the evacuation of patients. COGAT, the Israeli military body, stated it had not received necessary coordination details from the WHO. An Egyptian source reported Israel cited security issues.
  • Subsequent Announcement: COGAT later announced the crossing would reopen with limited passenger traffic but no cargo, after a hiatus of over two weeks.
  • Passenger Reports: Three women who returned to Gaza via Rafah reported being blindfolded, handcuffed, and interrogated by Israeli troops for several hours. The Israeli military stated it had no knowledge of such incidents.

Response and Statements

  • Hamas: Characterized the Saturday strikes as "a renewed flagrant violation" of the ceasefire and called on the U.S. and other mediators to press Israel to cease military actions.
  • Israeli Military: Stated consistently that strikes since October are in response to ceasefire violations by militants, including shootings, attempted crossings of the Yellow Line, and attacks on soldiers. It reported killing three militants exiting a tunnel in Rafah on one occasion.
  • Mediators: Eight Arab and Muslim countries, including Egypt and Qatar, condemned what they termed "repeated violations" of the agreement.

Casualty Figures and Context

  • Overall War Toll: The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people (mostly civilians) and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 72,000 Palestinian deaths.
  • Post-Ceasefire Toll: Ministry figures document between 509 and 811 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the October ceasefire. Israel reports four soldiers killed in the same period.
  • Demographics: Gaza health officials state that of those killed post-ceasefire, at least 226 were children and 179 women.
  • Doctors Without Borders (MSF): MSF suspended noncritical medical operations at Nasser Hospital, citing security concerns including the presence of armed men. Nasser Hospital disputed this, stating civilian police were deployed for security.
  • Internal Israeli Incident: In Bnei Brak, two female soldiers were escorted away from a protest by ultra-Orthodox men opposing military conscription. At least 22 arrests were made.

Unresolved Ceasefire Issues

Key elements of the ceasefire remain stalled, including:

  • Full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
  • Disarmament of Hamas
  • Establishment of a new governing body for reconstruction
  • Deployment of an international security force (Indonesia announced training of 5,000–8,000 troops for possible deployment, though their role is not fully defined)