Gaza strike near hospital extends casualty list under fragile ceasefire
An Israeli air strike on a displaced persons’ shelter in central Gaza has killed at least one person, adding to a death toll that has surpassed 1,200 since the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
An Israeli air strike hit a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians near al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, early on Monday, killing at least one person and wounding several others. The incident, reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, highlights the persistent tension in the enclave despite the recent diplomatic breakthrough.
The Israeli army stated via Telegram that it targeted two individuals it described as militants in the Deir al-Balah area on Sunday night. One of the targets, identified as Muhammad Abdul Nasser Jaber Abu Asad, was claimed to be a member of Hamas’s elite forces and a participant in the October 7 attack on Israel. The army alleged the pair had been working to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities and carry out operations against Israeli forces.
In its statement, the Israeli military labelled these activities a “systematic violation of the ceasefire.” This characterisation underscores the institutional friction between the belligerents as they navigate the terms of the agreement. The strike occurred while diplomatic efforts continue to disarm Hamas and secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.
The latest casualties bring the total number of Palestinians killed since the United States-brokered ceasefire agreement in October 2025 to 1,288, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The figures reflect a significant toll during the post-ceasefire period, complicating the narrative of a stable transition.
The broader death toll since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 73,422, with a further 174,401 wounded. On Sunday, three Palestinians, including a four-year-old child, were killed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis and az-Zawayda. Two additional men died on Monday after succumbing to wounds sustained in previous attacks in Khan Younis and near Gaza Port.
The sequence of events illustrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining the ceasefire framework. As casualty lists extend, the pressure on diplomatic channels to enforce the terms of the agreement intensifies. The identification of specific targets and the subsequent civilian impact remain central to the governance of the conflict.
