Palestinians in Gaza say ceasefire not in effect after latest Israeli strikes

Palestinian officials and residents in the Gaza Strip said on Tuesday that there is no ceasefire in place after Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting what it described as militant infrastructure in the southern enclave. The attacks, which began early in the morning, hit several neighborhoods in Gaza City and the Rafah area, causing extensive damage to residential buildings and prompting emergency services to evacuate civilians. The Israeli military said the operations were a response to recent rocket fire from Gaza and were intended to degrade the capabilities of Hamas and other armed groups.

Humanitarian agencies reported a rise in casualties, with the Gaza Health Ministry confirming dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries among civilians, including children. The United Nations called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged both sides to return to negotiations, while the United States reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self‑defence. Palestinian leaders, however, emphasized that any pause in fighting must be a genuine ceasefire accompanied by the lifting of the blockade, a condition they said has not been met. The situation remains volatile, with no clear indication of when or if a negotiated truce will be achieved.