The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Saturday that airstrikes across Gaza were conducted in retaliation for what they characterized as a ceasefire breach, during which eight terrorists were observed emerging from underground terror infrastructure.
The IDF reported targeting four commanders and other militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, along with a weapons storage facility. Additionally, a weapons manufacturing site and two launch sites operated by Hamas in central Gaza were struck, according to the IDF.
Hospitals in Gaza, managed by the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, reported that at least 30 Palestinians were killed in the strikes, as per The Associated Press.
Hospital officials indicated that civilian casualties were among those affected, including two women and six children from two separate families. Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya stated that an airstrike also hit a police station in Gaza City, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and injuries to others.
These strikes occurred a day after Israel accused Hamas of . An Israeli military official informed the AP that the strikes were a response to ceasefire violations but declined to provide details on specific targets.
The escalation in violence took place one day before the was scheduled to reopen, a development viewed as a crucial step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. This phase encompasses limited border reopenings, efforts toward demilitarizing Gaza, and discussions concerning post-war governance.
Israel has identified the Rafah crossing as a primary concern regarding weapons smuggling by Hamas, and has stated that security arrangements would be implemented upon its reopening.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had agreed to a “limited reopening” of the crossing in accordance with President ’s 20-point peace plan.
Israel maintains that it continues to conduct strikes throughout the region in response to breaches of ceasefire understandings. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces reported striking Hezbollah infrastructure and engineering vehicles in southern Lebanon, alleging the group’s attempt to re-establish terror infrastructure in contravention of agreements with Israel.
In related news, a senior Israeli military official acknowledged that the IDF believes the overall death toll reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry for the war is largely accurate, according to . The military estimates approximately 70,000 Gazans have been killed during the conflict, which began with Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack and has lasted over two years.
The Gaza Health Ministry currently lists 71,667 deaths, with over 450 occurring since the October 2025 ceasefire, although Israeli officials suggest this figure does not account for bodies believed to be buried under rubble.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported that 509 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire commenced on October 10.
Israel also returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Thursday, several days after recovering the , according to a Gaza Health Ministry official cited by the AP.
This transfer marked the conclusion of the final hostage-detainee exchange under the initial phase of the ceasefire.