Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 25, threatening fragile ceasefire

Thursday 20 November 2025 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 25, threatening fragile ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes hit multiple locations across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding 77 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The attacks targeted neighborhoods in Gaza City and areas near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, striking locations from which Israeli forces had previously withdrawn. Israeli military officials said the strikes were a response to gunfire directed at their troops, accusing Hamas militants of violating the ceasefire agreement established on October 10.

This surge in violence poses a critical test to the delicate ceasefire brokered through a U.S.-backed peace initiative led by former President Donald Trump. Despite the ceasefire, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations. The conflict since October 7, 2023, has resulted in approximately 69,500 deaths in Gaza, including at least 280 during the ceasefire period alone.

Hamas rejected key elements of the Trump peace plan, particularly demands for disarmament, emphasizing its refusal to give up weapons without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The group denied Israel's claims that its forces fired on Israeli soldiers, dismissing them as attempts to justify the ongoing Israeli military operations.

The Israeli military maintains that its operations target militants and Hamas infrastructure, asserting that the group uses civilians as human shields, which contributes to the high casualty figures in Gaza. The ongoing violence and mutual accusations continue to undermine efforts toward lasting peace and stability in the region.