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At least 12 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, according to hospital authorities. Among the deceased are two boys,
a pregnant woman, and eight police officers. The strikes occurred in various locations, including a residential area in the Nuseirat refugee camp and a police vehicle on the Salah al-Din route. Hospital officials confirmed that 14 others sustained injuries during these attacks.
Details of the Strikes
A morning airstrike targeted a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of four individuals: a couple in their 30s and their 10-year-old son. The pregnant woman was reportedly expecting twins, as confirmed by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.The 15-year-old neighbor of the family was also among the casualties and was taken to Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. Witnesses described the airstrike as powerful and sudden, with no warning prior to the attack.
Police Casualties
An afternoon strike hit a police vehicle on the Salah al-Din route, resulting in the deaths of eight police officers, including Colonel Iyad Ab Yousef, a senior police official in central Gaza. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported these fatalities.The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed the overall death toll and noted the number of wounded individuals. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were a response to a previous incident involving gunfire directed at its troops.
Context of Ongoing Violence
These deaths mark a continuation of fatalities in Gaza since the ceasefire that aimed to halt a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite the ceasefire, reports indicate ongoing Israeli fire, with more than 650 Palestinians reportedly killed since its implementation.Israeli authorities assert that their military actions are responses to violations of the ceasefire and targeted militants. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that a significant proportion of those killed have been women and children.
Since the conflict escalated following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the death toll among Palestinians has surpassed 72,200, with over 1,200 Israelis killed during the initial attack.
Reopening of Rafah Crossing
In a separate development, Israel announced the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, effective Wednesday. This marks a resumption after a hiatus of over two weeks.The Israeli military authority responsible for coordinating aid to Gaza, known as COGAT, stated that the crossing would operate with limited passenger traffic in both directions, but cargo transport would remain prohibited.
Previously, the crossing facilitated the evacuation of patients and wounded individuals for treatment outside Gaza, although reports indicate that only a fraction of those requiring medical evacuation have been allowed to leave.
