Israeli forces are reportedly pushing deeper into Gaza, defying a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States. Local authorities state that dozens of Palestinian families are now "besieged" in northern Gaza as the Israeli military repositions its forces further into the enclave. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israeli forces and tanks have advanced approximately 300 metres beyond the established "yellow line" in eastern Gaza City.
This expansion of the yellow line, an unmarked boundary established in the ceasefire agreement, has drawn strong criticism. The Gaza Government Media Office condemned the move as a "blatant disregard" for the ceasefire deal and expressed concern for the safety of the families caught in the affected area. The office highlighted that the fate of many families remains unknown amid ongoing shelling.
Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza City, noted that Israeli soldiers were observed placing yellow blocks and signs to mark the new deployment line in Shujayea, an eastern neighbourhood of Gaza City. However, the boundary remains incompletely marked, leaving many Palestinians uncertain about its precise location. This situation has resulted in more Palestinians being unable to access their homes.
Escalation of Violence: Airstrikes Claim Lives
Adding to the already tense situation, recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people in Gaza, marking a significant escalation of violence since the ceasefire agreement. Medical officials reported that 17 individuals, including women and children, were killed in the Khan Younis area following airstrikes targeting tents sheltering displaced people. In Gaza City, separate airstrikes claimed the lives of 16 people, including several children and women.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes were launched in response to fire directed at its soldiers in Khan Younis. However, Hamas has vehemently denied firing at Israeli troops, condemning the strikes as a "shocking massacre."
Palestinian Perspectives
Palestinians in Gaza have expressed a sense of despair, feeling as though the conflict has never truly ceased. Officials report that over 300 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was implemented. Residents, like Lina Kuraz, voiced their anxieties about the renewed violence and the uncertain future. Mohammed Hamdouna, displaced from northern Gaza, emphasized that the war continues to affect their daily lives, with persistent shelling, displacement, and closed borders.