At least 12 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency. The strikes, which began late Saturday night and continued through Sunday, included a targeted attack that reportedly killed a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the overnight operations, but a military official indicated the strikes were in response to a ceasefire violation. Late Saturday, the IDF reported killing five gunmen who approached troops on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line, characterizing the incident as a “blatant violation” of the existing ceasefire agreement. The IDF has previously responded to attacks during the current ceasefire – which has been in place since October – with waves of strikes against both Hamas and affiliated militant groups.
Palestinian media reports identified the senior PIJ commander killed in the strikes as Sami al-Dahdouh, 56, who was targeted in an airstrike on the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of western Gaza City. Al-Dahdouh was a commander in the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His family has a history of involvement in the conflict; his three brothers, including former Quds Brigades commander Khaled Dahdouh, were reportedly assassinated by Israel in separate attacks in Gaza two decades ago.
Beyond al-Dahdouh, the identities of those killed in the strikes were not immediately released by Palestinian authorities. However, the civil defense agency reported that five people were killed and several injured when a strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in Jabalia, in northern Gaza. Osama Abu Askar, a resident of Jabalia, accused Israel of disregarding the ceasefire, stating, “We’ve been living under a truce for months, and they’ve still targeted us. Israel operates on this principle — saying one thing and doing another.”
Another five people were killed and several injured in a separate early-morning strike in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital. Rami Shaqra told the Associated Press that his son, al-Baraa, was among a group of gunmen killed while “securing the area.” Footage from the morgue showed at least two of the men wearing headbands indicating affiliation with Hamas’s military wing.
The civil defense agency also reported one fatality resulting from Israeli gunfire in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza. The agency did not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties in its initial reports.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem condemned the strikes as a “massacre” against displaced Palestinians. An IDF military official described the strikes as “precise” and consistent with international law.
Nasser Hospital and MSF Dispute Over Presence of Armed Men
The situation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis has become increasingly complex, with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announcing the suspension of non-essential activities due to the presence of armed men within the facility. The hospital administration, however, has accused MSF of “aiding in manufacturing consent” for potential attacks on the medical center.
Nasser Hospital officials claim the armed men present are not military personnel but rather police securing the safety of staff and patients. They allege that MSF’s statements misrepresent the situation and echo narratives historically used to justify attacks on hospitals. The hospital issued a “formal notice” demanding MSF retract its allegations, warning of “foreseeable and grave consequences” if it fails to do so.
MSF had previously reported a “recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons” and alleged that armed men were arresting patients within the hospital. Israel has consistently maintained that medical facilities in Gaza are used by Palestinian militant groups as bases of operation, citing their protected status as a means of concealment. There have also been reports from released hostages claiming they were held at Nasser Hospital.
Israel announced earlier this month its intention to terminate all MSF activities in Gaza and the West Bank after the organization failed to provide a list of its Palestinian staff. MSF denounced the move as a “pretext” to obstruct aid delivery. Israel has accused MSF of employing individuals with ties to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
MSF has been a critical provider of medical and humanitarian aid in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel and the subsequent conflict in the enclave. The current escalation raises concerns about the continued provision of essential medical services to the civilian population.
The latest exchange of fire underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the potential for further escalation in the region. While the IDF maintains its actions are targeted and in response to specific threats, the resulting civilian casualties continue to fuel tensions and complicate efforts to achieve a lasting resolution.
