Gaza: Twelve Killed as Israeli Strikes Shatter Fragile Ceasefire

In a devastating blow to hopes for peace, Israeli airstrikes have killed 12 people in Gaza, including a family of six. The attacks, which hit a home in the central Gaza city and a vehicle in the south, come as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place but fails to stop the violence. The United Nations reports that at least 57 Palestinians have been killed in just the past week, with nowhere safe for civilians.

What happened in the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza?

Gaza's civil defence agency, operating under Hamas, confirmed that an airstrike hit a house belonging to the Al-Masri family in central Gaza city. Witnesses reported that six family members were killed, including four children. The Al-Shifa hospital received the bodies and the wounded. At the site, AFP journalists observed extensive damage to the charred multi-storey house, its roof nearly collapsed.

Ahmed al-Masri, a survivor, told AFP: 'I could hear the children crying out for help, yet I was unable to save them. My brother's entire family was wiped from the civil registry: him, his wife and their four children.' Another witness, Youssef al-Masri, said the strike came around 2am, catching everyone asleep.

An Israeli military source claimed the strike targeted 'a Hamas terrorist,' but provided no evidence. In a separate incident, the Israeli military said it struck 'several armed terrorists transferring weapons in a vehicle' in southern Gaza, killing six more people.

Why is the ceasefire not holding in Gaza?

The ceasefire, agreed last October, has not stopped the violence. The Israeli army has intensified attacks in recent days, targeting individuals it claims were involved in the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel or in holding hostages. The UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan stated: 'The Israeli military has intensified its attacks in Gaza in recent days. Nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza.'

Since the truce took effect, at least 1,168 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry, whose figures the UN considers reliable. Israel reports losing five soldiers and one civilian contractor over the same period. The stark disparity in casualties highlights the brutal asymmetry of this conflict.

How is the international community responding?

The United Nations has condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate end to the violence. However, efforts to secure a lasting agreement have stalled. The Irish government, through its long-standing support for Palestinian rights, has urged restraint and a return to negotiations. But with the UK and US backing Israel's narrative of self-defence, meaningful action remains elusive.

Restrictions on media access in Gaza make independent verification difficult. AFP, like other outlets, relies on local sources and official figures. The reality on the ground is one of grief and destruction, as families like the Al-Masris are wiped out in their sleep.

What does this mean for the people of Gaza?

For ordinary Palestinians, this is a daily nightmare. The ceasefire was supposed to bring relief, but instead it has brought more death. The Irish people, who know the pain of occupation and the struggle for freedom, stand with Gaza. We must demand accountability and an end to the violence that targets children in their beds.

As Ahmed al-Masri said, his brother's family was 'wiped from the civil registry.' This is not a statistic. It is a human tragedy. And it must stop.