Israeli troops fired a mortar shell over the ceasefire line into a Palestinian residential area in the Gaza Strip, wounding at least ten people and prompting an army investigation.
The military said the mortar was fired during an operation in the area of the “Yellow Line,” a boundary drawn in the ceasefire agreement that separates the Israeli-held majority of Gaza from the rest of the territory.
Details of the incident remain sparse. The army did not disclose what the troops were doing or whether they had crossed the line, only that the mortar had veered from its intended target.
Fadel Naeem, director of Al-Ahli Hospital, reported that the hospital received ten wounded patients from the strike on central Gaza City, some of whom were critically injured.
This is not the first time Israeli fire has caused casualties outside the Yellow Line since the truce began on Oct. 10. Palestinian health officials have recorded more than 370 deaths from Israeli fire since the ceasefire.
Israel maintains that it has opened fire in response to Hamas violations, and claims most of those killed were Hamas militants.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military protocol, said the army is aware of several incidents where civilians were killed, including young children and a family traveling in a van.
Palestinians argue that civilians are being killed because the line is poorly marked. Israeli troops have been placing yellow blocks to delineate it, but in some areas the blocks have not yet been installed.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire is struggling to advance to its next phase, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The first phase involved the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase is expected to include the deployment of an international stabilization force, a technocratic governing body for Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and further Israeli troop withdrawals from the territory.
The remains of hostage Ran Gvili are still in Gaza, and militants appear to be struggling to locate them. Israel demands the return of Gvili’s remains before moving to the second phase.
Hamas calls for more international pressure on Israel to open key border crossings, cease deadly strikes, and allow more aid into the strip.
Recently released Israeli military figures suggest Israel has not met the ceasefire stipulation of allowing “600 trucks of aid into Gaza a day,” though Israel disputes that finding.
Humanitarian groups say the lack of aid has harsh effects on most of Gaza’s residents. Food remains scarce as the territory struggles to recover from famine that affected parts of Gaza during the war.
The vast majority of Gaza’s 2 million people have been displaced. Most live in tent camps or among the shells of damaged buildings.
The initial Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Almost all hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel’s two-year campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,660 Palestinians, roughly half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians in its count.
The ministry, operating under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.
Key Takeaways
- Israeli mortar shell lands in Gaza residential area, wounding 10; ceasefire violations spark tensions as aid shortages and hostage returns stall next phase.
- Over 370 Palestinian deaths from Israeli fire since Oct. 10 truce; Israel claims most killed were Hamas militants.
- Humanitarian aid shortfall and unclear status of hostages keep the ceasefire from progressing.
The incident underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as both sides grapple with accusations of violations and unmet obligations.
Closing
The latest mortar strike, coupled with stalled ceasefire negotiations and mounting humanitarian concerns, illustrates the complex and volatile environment in Gaza. As the international community watches, the next steps in the ceasefire process remain uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
