Israeli airstrikes kill five Palestinians in Gaza amid ceasefire violations

Israeli air and artillery strikes across the Gaza Strip on July 16 killed at least five Palestinians, including two civilians near the Tuffah neighbourhood, a third person in Zeitoun, a victim at a tent encampment in western Gaza City, and another in a vehicle in Khan Younis. Hospital officials also reported the death of six police officers in a strike on a police station in the Jabaliya refugee camp and a child shot near Rafah.

The attacks come despite the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has failed to halt near‑daily Israeli operations. Palestinian health authorities say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, with the overall death toll of the war exceeding 73,000. The United Nations human‑rights office has condemned the pattern of strikes on police personnel, saying it shows no distinction between civilian police and combatants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure ahead of elections, while humanitarian aid into Gaza remains severely restricted. A Dutch report added that at least 15 Palestinians, including three family members and six police officers, were killed in recent bombings, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis.