Israel Launches Fresh Air and Artillery Strikes on Gaza

Israel has launched a new round of intense air and artillery attacks on the Gaza Strip. According to local sources, at least ten airstrikes were carried out on Thursday morning in the eastern areas of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. At the same time, artillery fire targeted the eastern outskirts of Gaza City.

Residents said that Israeli forces demolished several buildings in the eastern part of Khan Younis. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

The assault began following the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah on October 28. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered an immediate and powerful counterattack in Gaza.

According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, dozens of people have been killed in bombings around Gaza City, Khan Younis, and near several hospitals. Hamas has claimed it was not involved in the Rafah incident and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the new wave of attacks began on October 28, at least 104 people have been killed and 253 wounded, including 46 children and 20 women. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, a total of 211 people have been killed and 597 injured.

Meanwhile, Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced that it would hand over the bodies of two Israeli captives as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal.

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Israel and Hamas are to release prisoners in phases, halt military operations, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.