Israeli Attacks on Gaza Kill 18 in One of Deadliest Days Since ‘Ceasefire’

GAZA — At least 18 people were killed across Gaza on Tuesday in what Palestinian health officials described as one of the deadliest days since a fragile ceasefire came into effect, underscoring how violence continues to erupt despite diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire hit multiple locations across the territory, including residential areas and sites near refugee shelters. Medical sources said women and children were among the dead, while dozens more were wounded, adding to already overwhelmed hospitals struggling with shortages of fuel, medicines, and staff.

Witnesses reported explosions in northern and central Gaza, with rescue teams racing to pull survivors from the rubble. “We thought the ceasefire would bring some relief,” said a resident of Gaza City. “Instead, the attacks are still coming, and people are terrified.”

Israel’s military said it carried out strikes targeting what it described as militant positions, alleging that armed groups in Gaza continued to violate the ceasefire by launching rockets and preparing attacks. The Israeli army maintains that it takes steps to minimise civilian harm, while Hamas and other Palestinian factions deny operating from civilian areas.

The latest violence highlights the fragility of the ceasefire, which had raised hopes of easing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis after months of devastating conflict. Aid agencies say any pause in fighting has been inconsistent, making it difficult to deliver food, medical supplies, and clean water to civilians in need.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Gaza’s civilian population remains at extreme risk, with more than a million people displaced and much of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Hospitals, already battered by previous attacks, are now struggling to cope with new waves of casualties.

International mediators have urged both sides to uphold the ceasefire and return to negotiations, warning that continued escalation could unravel months of diplomatic efforts. However, residents say the situation on the ground tells a different story.

“For people here, the ceasefire feels like a word on paper,” said a volunteer medic in southern Gaza. “The fear never really stops.”