News - Middle East: Israel has unleashed new airstrikes and artillery fire across Gaza, continuing to violate the ceasefire while choking off desperately needed humanitarian aid to the war-torn coastal region.

Palestinian media outlets, citing local sources, reported that Israeli artillery units shelled the eastern flank of Gaza City on Thursday morning.

No reports about possible civilian casualties and the extent of damage caused were quickly available.

Israeli warplanes also heavily bombed areas east of Rafah, which sits on Gaza's southern border with Egypt.

Residents also reported an Israeli air strike east of Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip.

The attack did not result in injuries, according to emergency services. 

Additionally, Israeli forces opened fire on neighborhoods in Khan Younis and Gaza City, and demolished buildings in Khan Younis.

Hamas denies role in Rafah explosion

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on Wednesday rejected involvement in an explosion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah that wounded an Israeli officer.

The group said in a statement that the blast occurred in an area “fully controlled” by Israeli forces where no Palestinians were present, and that it had warned of unexploded ordnance in the area and elsewhere.

Hamas emphasized that it bears no responsibility for such remnants since the ceasefire agreement took effect, particularly those it said were left by Israeli forces during their assaults.

The movement called on Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement and avoid actions that could escalate tensions or undermine the truce.

Hamas also reiterated its commitment to the deal and related obligations.

Gaza’s Government Media Office said Wednesday that the Israeli forces had breached the ceasefire 875 times since it came into force on October 10.

The Israeli military has killed at least 70,937 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, while injuring an additional 171,192 people in Gaza since October 2023.

Israel has not fully complied with the ceasefire agreement, limiting the entry of the agreed-upon number of medical aid trucks. This has worsened what the Health Ministry describes as a severe and ongoing health crisis.

Source: Press TV