Palestinian civil defence agency in Gaza said a series of Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed at least 21 people across the besieged enclave in new Israeli violation of ceasefire.
Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the agency, said six of the victims were killed when an Israeli strike targeted a "group of civilians" in Al-Zawayda town in central Gaza.
A woman and two children were killed when a drone strike hit a tent housing displaced people near Asdaa City, north of Khan Yunis.
Two people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli strike in the western part of Al-Zawayda town in central Gaza.
In another attack, two people were killed and several wounded when an Israeli strike hit a tent in the Al-Ahli Club area in Nuseirat, central Gaza, Bassal said.
Two more people were killed in an Israeli air strike in eastern Jabalia, northern Gaza, he added.
Repeatedly violating ceasefire
The Palestinian group Hamas accused Israel of repeatedly violating a Gaza ceasefire agreement, killing at least 46 Palestinians since the deal came into force on October 10.
“The Israeli occupation forces deliberately targeted civilians and opened fire on them in areas where movement was permitted, leading to the death of 46 people and injury of 132 others,” it said in a statement.
Hamas said half of the victims were children, women, and elderly people, including the Abu Shaban family, which was “completely wiped out, including seven children and two women.”
It said that the Israeli violations represent “an attempt to undermine and sabotage the (ceasefire) agreement, and a continuation of Israel’s policy of aggression.”
‘Dangerous combat zone’
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged Palestinian residents in a statement to remain only on the western side of the yellow line, which defines Israeli troop withdrawal under the ceasefire deal.
Adraee published a map showing two color zones — yellow and red — warning civilians against being east of the yellow line, in the area marked in red.
The Israeli army described the red-marked area as a “highly dangerous combat zone,” according to the statement.
The ceasefire and hostage swap agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas on October 8, based on a phased plan presented by US President Donald Trump. Phase one included the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
Since October 2023, the Israeli genocidal war has killed nearly 68,200 people and injured more than 170,200, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
