Israeli Attack in Gaza During Ceasefire Kills Nine

Despite a ceasefire brokered through U.S. mediation, Israeli military operations in Gaza have persisted. On Sunday, 15 February, fresh airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians. Israeli forces also carried out multiple attacks in southern Lebanon on the same day.

In southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis district, five Palestinians were killed, while an additional four lost their lives in a tent settlement in northern Gaza’s Al-Faluja area.

The Israeli military claimed that its strikes targeted armed individuals, though no independent evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim. Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of violating the ceasefire over 1,500 times, resulting in a cumulative death toll of approximately 591 since the agreement took effect.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Gaza is facing an acute shortage of food and medicine, leaving nearly two million residents living in extreme hardship. Approximately 1.5 million people have been displaced, many surviving in temporary tent settlements under harsh conditions.

The situation has prompted warnings from humanitarian organisations that the population is enduring a “humanitarian catastrophe,” with urgent international assistance required to prevent further civilian suffering.

Impact in Lebanon

Israeli attacks have not been limited to Gaza. In southern Lebanon, airstrikes have continued post-ceasefire, leading to significant civilian casualties. According to the United Nations, at least 108 civilians— including women and children—have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire’s implementation.

Destruction and Reconstruction Needs

The conflict, which escalated in 2023, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, with approximately 90 per cent of the region’s facilities destroyed. The UN estimates that reconstruction will require at least $70 billion to restore essential services, homes, and public facilities.

The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the continuing risks to civilians across the region. International observers have called for renewed dialogue and humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life and to begin the long-term process of reconstruction.