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Israel’s military killed seven Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, including two children, in what Palestinian officials say are new violations of the US-brokered ceasefire. The deaths occurred after Israel accused Hamas of attacking and injuring four soldiers in southern Rafah. Medics reported that two people were shot in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City, while five others died when Israeli strikes hit the al-Mawasi area in the south, igniting fires that spread across several tents. According to hospital sources, the children who died were eight and ten years old, and more than 30 other people were injured. Palestinian authorities said some of the wounded suffered serious burns.
Hamas condemned the attack in al-Mawasi, calling it a “war crime” and accusing Israel of ignoring the ceasefire agreement. The group urged mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to pressure Israel to stop what it described as repeated violations. Officials in Gaza say Israel has violated the ceasefire more than 590 times since it began on October 10, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries.
On the same day, Israel confirmed receiving remains believed to belong to one of the last two captives still held in Gaza. The remains were handed over by Palestinian groups through the International Committee of the Red Cross. The exchange followed a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said earlier forensic tests on remains sent by Hamas did not match either of the missing captives. Since the start of the truce, Hamas has returned 20 living captives and 26 bodies, while about 2,000 Palestinian detainees have been released.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main exit point into Egypt, became another point of tension. Israel announced that it plans to open the crossing “in the coming days” but only for people leaving Gaza, and only with security approval. This raised immediate fears among Palestinians that the move could lead to forced displacement, especially since some Israeli ministers have previously called for reducing Gaza’s population. Reporters in Gaza noted that Israel’s plan does not guarantee that those who leave will be able to return, increasing concerns that this could accelerate the depopulation of the territory.
Egypt rejected Israel’s statement, saying it will not agree to opening the crossing only in one direction. Egyptian officials insisted that any opening must allow movement both into and out of Gaza, in line with the current ceasefire and the UN Security Council resolution that supports it. Egypt said it is coordinating with the European Union and the Palestinian Authority to prepare for the full reopening of Rafah when conditions allow.
The United Nations also called for Rafah to be reopened completely. A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said the crossing must allow the movement of humanitarian aid, aid workers, and civilians who wish to leave voluntarily. The UN also stressed that Palestinians who have left Gaza should have the right to return if they choose.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that the ceasefire remains “on track” and suggested that the second phase of his plan for Gaza will begin soon. The plan’s next steps include creating an international security force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government, and disarming Hamas. Hamas, however, has rejected giving up its weapons while Israeli occupation continues.
Humanitarian needs in Gaza remain extremely high. The World Health Organization says more than 8,000 patients have been evacuated from Gaza since the war began in October 2023, but more than 16,500 still urgently need to leave for medical care. Doctors Without Borders says many countries are slow to accept patients, even though the need is overwhelming. So far, more than 30 countries have taken in patients, but only a few have accepted large numbers.
According to authorities, the conflict has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians and injured more than 170,000 since October 2023. In Israel, about 1,100 people were killed during the October 7 attacks, and around 200 were taken captive.