Israeli forces strike Gaza overnight despite ongoing ceasefire

2026-02-22 - 10:52

The Israeli army carried out fresh airstrikes and artillery bombardments on multiple locations in the Gaza Strip early Sunday, in a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement that has been in place since October. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli warplanes targeted eastern areas of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, while military vehicles opened fire on the eastern districts of Khan Younis. Coordinated Attacks from Air, Land, and Sea According to local witnesses, the assault was not limited to aerial bombardment. Israeli naval forces also participated in the offensive, firing toward the coastline near Khan Younis. Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, fighter jets struck eastern areas of Gaza City, accompanied by sporadic artillery shelling on the same locations. The coordinated nature of the attacks marks a significant escalation and a severe breach of the US-backed truce. Mounting Toll of Ceasefire Violations The October 10 ceasefire had halted a devastating two-year Israeli offensive that claimed the lives of more than 72,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, and injured over 171,000 others. However, despite the agreement, Gaza's Health Ministry reports that Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire. Since the truce took effect, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of 612 Palestinians and left a further 1,640 injured, underscoring the fragility of the current calm and the continued threat to civilian life in the enclave.