Israeli warplanes hammered Gaza Tuesday night into Wednesday, killing 104 people the worst violence since the October 10 truce.
Bombs struck refugee tents, homes, and hospital zones, claiming 46 children and 20 women. Hundreds lie wounded as rescue crews claw through debris.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire championed by President Donald Trump hangs by a thread.
Local emergency services branded the raids a “direct truce violation.” A mother in a tent camp wept:
“We dared to hope. Now bombs fall again.”
Soldier’s Death Ignites Retaliation
The assault began after an Israeli soldier was killed in Rafah Tuesday. The army accused Hamas fighters of ambushing troops in a secure area, labeling it a ceasefire breach. Hamas rejected the charge, stating: “We had no role in Rafah and stand by the deal.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commanded “decisive strikes” on Hamas arms depots and underground passages. Israel says 24 fighters died.
Gaza medics insist most victims were civilians near Al-Shifa Hospital and displacement sites.
From Asia, Trump said:
“A soldier died. Israel struck back and rightly. The truce still stands.”
Hostage Returns Frozen
The violence halted body exchanges. Hamas delayed delivering a hostage corpse due Tuesday, blaming Israeli attacks for burying remains deeper. “We’ll return all when safe,” a spokesman declared.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas raid took 251 hostages and killed 1,221 Israelis—mostly civilians. Israel’s campaign has taken 68,531 Palestinian lives, health officials report. The truce mandated all live captives freed by October 10; 28 bodies to follow.
Monday’s handover of previously returned remains sparked outrage. Hamas cites war rubble; Israel calls it deception.
Gaza Reels in Terror
In Nuseira camp, four kids perished in one explosion. Al-Awda Hospital took their bodies. Tent resident Khadija al-Husni said: “Peace felt real. Now fear owns the night.”
Al-Shifa was hit in its courtyard. A nurse: “Kids screamed they believed war ended.” More bodies emerge from ruins.
War’s Brutal Ledger
The two-year clash, ignited by Hamas’s 2023 assault, has:
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Killed 68,531 Palestinians
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Injured 170,000+
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Uprooted 2 million
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Leveled billions in buildings
The truce stopped ground battles but not distrust. Wednesday’s raids across Gaza City, Khan Younis, north signal deepening crisis.
World Watches in Alarm
The UN condemned the “vicious spiral.” Relief teams warn buried dead raise the toll. Trump’s optimism jars with Gaza’s screams.
Hamas pledges truce loyalty but cautions: “Raids kill faith.” Israel vows enforcement via force.
As smoke clears, grief reigns. Gaza asks: Deal or deception?
