DEIR EL-BALAH – On Saturday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes, marking one of the deadliest days since a ceasefire was agreed upon in October.

Targets in both northern and southern Gaza were struck, including a residential building in Gaza City and a tent in Khan Younis, as confirmed by hospital officials who received the victims. Among those killed were two women and six children from two separate families.

This surge in violence occurred just a day before the scheduled reopening of a border crossing in Gaza’s southernmost area, highlighting the ongoing casualties even as efforts to uphold the ceasefire continue.

Since the conflict began, all border crossings have been shut, with the Rafah crossing to Egypt being viewed as a critical exit point for those in need of urgent medical care outside the war-torn region, where healthcare facilities have been largely obliterated.

Shifa Hospital reported that the strike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of a mother, her three children, and a relative on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Nasser Hospital detailed a tragic incident in a tent camp where a fire, sparked by the strike, claimed seven lives, including a father, his three children, and three grandchildren.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, over 500 Palestinians have perished due to Israeli attacks since the ceasefire commenced on October 10. The ministry’s casualty figures are widely regarded as credible by United Nations agencies and independent analysts.

Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strikes.

Shifa Hospital said the Gaza City strike took killed a mother, three children and one of their relatives, while Nasser Hospital said a strike in a tent camp caused a fire to break out, killing seven, including a father, his three children and three grandchildren.

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Magdy reported from Cairo. Sam Metz contributed from Jerusalem.