Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians, according to health officials in the enclave. The Israeli military, which has resumed operations in the region, stated that it targeted a Hamas military facility in northern Gaza.
In Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, three individuals lost their lives when an Israeli airstrike struck a residential building. Another attack in Beit Hanoun killed two men and left six others injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the strikes were aimed at a Hamas location in northern Gaza, where preparations were allegedly underway for launching attacks into Israeli territory. Airstrikes resumed the previous day after both sides accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire, disrupting nearly two months of relative calm.
In addition to aerial attacks, Israeli naval forces targeted several boats suspected of planning operations on behalf of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group. Palestinian sources claimed that an Israeli drone fired upon fishing boats near Gaza City’s shore, setting several ablaze.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces dropped evacuation leaflets in Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis, instructing residents to leave immediately due to the areas being classified as "dangerous combat zones." The messages warned civilians that remaining in shelters or makeshift tents posed a severe risk to their lives.
Tuesday’s Israeli airstrikes reportedly led to over 400 Palestinian casualties, according to health officials in Gaza, with Israeli authorities cautioning that their military campaign was "only the beginning." The broader Israeli offensive has claimed more than 48,000 lives, according to Palestinian health sources.
The ceasefire, which had largely held since January, collapsed as Israel and Hamas blamed each other for its breakdown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacks were necessary after Hamas rejected proposals to extend the truce. Hamas, which is holding 59 of the approximately 250 hostages it captured during its October 7, 2023, assault, accused Israel of derailing negotiations for a lasting peace agreement.
Despite the renewed violence, Hamas officials reaffirmed their commitment to a previously signed three-phase ceasefire deal. The October 7 attack by Hamas-led fighters resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of hostages, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a prolonged military campaign in Gaza, reducing much of the territory to rubble and displacing millions of residents.