At least eleven people were killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian civil defence and health officials said, as both sides continue to accuse each other of breaching a ceasefire that came into effect in October.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that six people died in a strike on a tent encampment in northern Gaza, while five others were killed in a separate strike in the south. Gaza’s Civil Defence confirmed the total, with Al-Shifa hospital staff reporting a twelfth casualty in an exchange of gunfire unrelated to the air strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its operations targeted “terror sites” in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas militants, claiming that several militants were killed after emerging from tunnels into areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Since the ceasefire began on 10 October, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of near-daily violations. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 600 people have died in the period since the truce took effect. Earlier this month, a wave of Israeli strikes killed at least 32 people.
The strikes come as preparations continue for the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire, which includes the establishment of an international Board of Peace tasked with securing Gaza’s borders, overseeing disarmament, and facilitating post-war reconstruction. The board’s first meeting is scheduled for 19 February in Washington.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the board had pledged $5 billion for reconstruction in Gaza, while urging Hamas to move forward with disarmament. Hamas has repeatedly said it will not disarm until a Palestinian state is established. Indonesia, a board member, will deploy 8,000 soldiers to assist with the ceasefire’s implementation.
The conflict erupted after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 71,800 deaths, according to Gaza health authorities.
Elsewhere, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington this week to meet Trump, discussing Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. Talks with Iran are scheduled to continue in Geneva on Tuesday.