Gaza City, November 23, 2025
At least 22 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across northern and central Gaza in recent attacks during a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States that began on October 10, 2025. Israel says the strikes responded to militants’ incursions, while Hamas accuses Israel of violating the truce.
Casualties and Locations
Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations within Gaza, including Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood and the central areas of the Gaza Strip. Medical and civil defense officials affiliated with Hamas reported that one vehicle strike in Gaza City killed 11 people and wounded more than 20, most of whom were children. Another attack near Al-Awda Hospital killed at least three individuals and wounded 11 others. In the Nuseirat refugee camp, seven people died—including a child—and 16 were injured. A separate strike in Deir al-Balah resulted in the deaths of three people, including a woman.
Ceasefire Context and Violations
These airstrikes occurred against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire agreement facilitated by the U.S. However, Israel claimed the strikes were retaliatory actions after militants crossed into Israeli-controlled areas and opened fire on troops, representing a breach of the ceasefire. Hamas denied these claims and accused Israel of violating the terms of the truce. They have urged the United States to enforce compliance by Israel to prevent further hostilities.
Broader Humanitarian Impact
Since the war’s outbreak in October 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed, with over 170,800 injured. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but highlights that women and children constitute the majority of casualties. Although the ceasefire has permitted limited aid access and some movement within Gaza, sporadic violence continues, with hundreds of deaths reported since the truce’s initiation.
International Reaction and Military Stance
The recent strikes have drawn widespread international condemnation, particularly in light of previous Israeli attacks on hospitals and media personnel. The Israeli military has acknowledged that civilian casualties have occurred but asserts that it does not intentionally target non-combatants. Global actors continue to express concern over the escalating violence and the persistent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The latest surge in violence underscores the fragile nature of ceasefires in the region and highlights the complexities of maintaining peace amid ongoing hostilities. The situation remains volatile, with the risk of further escalation threatening the fragile humanitarian conditions on the ground.