The Israeli army has continued violating the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, coinciding with ongoing escalation of fighting in the north and south amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in Israel.
Recent Israeli opinion polls indicating a decline in confidence in the war’s outcome and the future of governance in the Strip.
Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in Jabalia al-Balad and al-Waha areas of northern Gaza, while the Israeli army continued its military escalation through artillery shelling and widespread demolition of residential buildings in several areas of the strip, in continued violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Palestinian medical sources reported that ambulance crews recovered the body of 33-year old Mohamed Salah Abu-Rukba after he was shot by Israeli forces outside the “yellow line” in al-Waha area of northern Gaza.
The body of Ahmed al-Qanou was also recovered after he was shot in the town of Jabalia, northern Gaza.
The Israeli army renewed its artillery bombardment of the eastern areas of Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza Strip.
At dawn on Friday, it carried out extensive demolition operations that targeted residential buildings in various areas, as the sounds of violent explosions rocked several neighborhoods.
Israel’s march of destruction
Israeli forces destroyed a residential building in the center of Khan Younis after forcing residents and those of neighboring areas to evacuate, resulting in at least one Palestinian being injured.
The Anadolu Agency reported eyewitnesses saying that an airstrike targeted a four-story building belonging to the Abu-Hatab family, completely destroying it and causing significant damage to surrounding buildings and tents sheltering displaced people.
Witnesses explained that Israeli forces warned the owner of a blacksmith’s workshop located below the building to evacuate before the bombing, forcing residents to flee and remain in the open.
A missile was then launched, leveling the building. Medical sources confirmed that a Palestinian was injured by shrapnel that flew a considerable distance.
Later, the Israeli army radio reported that forces targeted a residential building in the southern Gaza Strip, claiming it was in response to gunfire directed at its soldiers in northern Gaza.
The Israeli army also carried out demolition operations and airstrikes within its controlled areas east of Khan Younis. Residents reported hearing large explosions, coinciding with heavy gunfire from military vehicles and helicopters.
The military operations extended to Rafah, where Israeli vehicles and helicopters fired heavily on areas under army control. An airstrike targeted an open area in Sheikh Ajlin neighborhood southwest of Gaza City.
Demolition operations were also carried out east of the Gaza City, coinciding with heavy gunfire towards the eastern part of Jabalia refugee camp and the Tuffah neighborhood.
The “yellow line” separates the areas of deployment of the Israeli army, which controls approximately 53 percent of the Gaza Strip in the east, from the areas in the west where Palestinians are permitted to move.
Political turmoil
According to data from the Health Ministry in Gaza, up to 574 Palestinians have been killed and 1,518 others wounded since the ceasefire agreement went into effect.
An opinion poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 showed the right-wing Likud party leading the political scene with 26 seats, followed by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s party with 23 seats, while the Joint List of Arab parties secured 12 seats.
The poll showed Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett tied at 40 percent each, indicating a rise in support for Bennett compared to previous polls.
The poll also revealed that 65 percent of Israelis believe Hamas will continue to govern Gaza Strip, either fully or partially, despite the ongoing war.
