Israeli forces killed at least seven Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday in violation of the Gaza ceasefire deal that was signed last week.
According to Middle East Eye, at least six people were killed in Gaza City, and one was killed in the southern city of Khan Younis. Gaza’s Civil Defense said that at least five people were killed in Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighborhood while inspecting their homes.
Other reports say that a total of nine Palestinians were killed by the IDF in Gaza on Tuesday, but according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the total includes two people who died of wounds sustained in previous Israeli attacks. WAFA previously reported that a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in Khan Younis on Sunday night.
The IDF admitted to killing Palestinians in Gaza City on Tuesday, claiming they crossed the so-called “yellow line” that IDF forces had withdrawn to, which was approaching Israeli troops. The IDF claimed that the Palestinians “violated” the ceasefire deal and that it acted to “remove a threat,” but its statement did not allege the Palestinians were armed.
Throughout Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, the IDF has created “kill zones” by setting arbitrary lines that Palestinians are not aware of. The IDF also released a similar statement about an incident in Khan Younis on Tuesday, saying it fired on a “suspect” who allegedly crossed the “yellow line.”
According to a report from Israel Hayom, the US has given Israel a guarantee that it would back Israeli military action if it determined Hamas violated the deal in a way that “poses a security threat.” The report said the understanding “constitutes a side agreement” between the US and Israel.
The US gave Israel a similar side deal for the November 2024 Lebanon ceasefire agreement, which Israel continues to violate on a near-daily basis.
Since the Gaza ceasefire deal was signed, hundreds of bodies have been dug out of the rubble in Gaza and recovered from areas previously occupied by the IDF. According to the Gaza Health Ministry’s daily death toll update, at least 38 bodies were recovered over the previous 24-hour period.
The Health Ministry’s death toll since October 7, 2023, has reached 67,913, and the number of wounded has climbed to 170,134. Studies have found that the ministry’s numbers are likely a significant undercount, and around 10,000 Palestinians are missing and presumed dead under the rubble.
