Israel resumed its Gaza strikes early Tuesday, breaking the temporary ceasefire that brought a brief calm to the war-torn enclave. According to Palestinian officials, two people were killed in Beit Lahiya when Israeli warplanes hit residential areas shortly after midnight.
The Gaza strikes shattered hopes of a lasting truce after days of talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Witnesses described loud explosions and rising smoke from northern Gaza as families fled their homes in fear of renewed escalation.
Local media reported that Israeli forces claimed the attack was a “response to security threats” near the border. However, humanitarian workers said the strikes hit civilian neighborhoods, adding more pressure on already displaced families struggling to find shelter.
The recent attacks follow a tense week in which at least 20 people were killed during earlier Gaza strikes linked to delays in hostage negotiations. That incident had already drawn global criticism and raised doubts about Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire.
Residents in Beit Lahiya said the renewed bombardment came without warning, leaving hospitals overcrowded once again. “We thought the truce meant safety, but it ended overnight,” said a survivor from the northern camp.
International organizations have urged restraint and called for protection of civilians, warning that the repeated Gaza strikes could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts. Despite appeals from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies, Israel has yet to comment on when or whether another ceasefire could take effect.
For now, Gaza remains on edge, its skies once again filled with drones and the sound of explosions, a reminder that peace in the region remains fragile and distant.
