Gaza Casualties Mount: 60 Killed in Israeli Attacks, US Views Action as Justified
Israeli attacks shatter fragile ceasefire agreement.
Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight Tuesday claimed at least 60 lives, including numerous children and women, according to local hospital authorities, representing the gravest breach of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire that took effect on October 10. The escalation followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive for "powerful strikes" in response to alleged Hamas violations, though no evidence was presented to substantiate claims of attacks on Israeli forces.
Netanyahu's office justified the operation after Israel accused Hamas of staging a fraudulent handover of hostage remains on Monday. Forensic analysis determined the partial body parts delivered through the Red Cross belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, previously recovered in 2023, rather than one of the 13 outstanding deceased captives. Government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian stated that Hamas had excavated a site, placed existing remains, and presented them as newly discovered, constituting a material breach of the agreement requiring the return of 28 sets of remains and release of 20 living hostages.
Hamas rejected the accusations, with spokesman Hazem Qassem asserting that the group continues to search for bodies amid extensive destruction from Israel's two-year campaign. The Al-Qassam Brigades announced the location of two additional sets of remains but suspended Tuesday's scheduled transfer of another hostage's body, citing Israeli bombardment as preventing recovery operations. The group maintained its commitment to fulfilling obligations once hostilities cease.
Gaza's civil defense agency documented eight separate strikes: one adjacent to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City; another destroying a civilian vehicle, killing all five occupants; two in Deir al-Balah resulting in 10 fatalities at Aqsa Hospital, including six children and three women; five in Khan Younis delivering 20 bodies to Nasser Hospital, comprising 13 children and two women; and further attacks near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza, where 30 victims arrived, 14 of them children. Medical personnel operated under emergency protocols as facilities struggled with power outages and depleted supplies.
The United States initially minimized the incident, with President Donald Trump stating from Air Force One that Israel "should hit back" following reports of a soldier's death, while asserting the ceasefire would endure. Vice President JD Vance described the violence as anticipated "skirmishes" that would subside, claiming Hamas initiated the confrontation. The White House confirmed Israel coordinated with administration officials prior to the strikes, though independent verification of the alleged attack on Israeli forces remains unavailable.
This incident follows multiple near-violations since the ceasefire's implementation, including Israeli operations last week after two IDF fatalities and Hamas delays in body recoveries amid 80% infrastructure destruction. Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 68,500 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, predominantly civilians, with 170,000 injuries and thousands unaccounted for beneath rubble. The UN warns of famine conditions, with aid deliveries averaging under 100 trucks daily against a required 500.
International condemnation was swift: Turkey's foreign ministry labeled the strikes a "flagrant violation," while the UN Secretary-General urged immediate de-escalation to prevent catastrophe. In Israel, Netanyahu convened security officials before authorizing the attacks, with Defense Minister Israel Katz vowing severe consequences for Hamas. The operation occurs amid domestic pressure on Netanyahu from coalition partners and ongoing corruption proceedings, with public opinion polls indicating 62% support for maintaining the ceasefire.
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