Israel Bombs Gaza Despite Truce, Wages Genocide as Death Toll Surpasses 70,000

Israeli forces have continued to bomb Gaza despite a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October, and Gaza health authorities report the overall death toll has surpassed 70,000 since Israel's campaign began on October 7, 2023.

“Israeli navy vessels reportedly opened fire on displaced Palestinians sheltering on the beaches near Rafah, Gaza, forcing hundreds to flee; civil defense teams said ongoing shelling and damaged roads prevented them from reaching the wounded”

- IMEMC News

Al Jazeera and Al-Jazeera Net cite the Gaza Health Ministry's cumulative toll of about 70,100 killed and more than 170,900 wounded, and explicitly state that "Israeli strikes have continued despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire."

- IMEMC News

Western outlets also report the continuing strikes and large-scale casualties; Sky News notes Gaza's health authorities put the overall death toll at "over 70,000," and the South China Morning Post and TRT World report similar figures while confirming strikes continued despite the truce.

These sources directly attribute ongoing aerial, naval and ground strikes to Israeli forces while reporting the ministry's tolls from Gaza.

Multiple outlets report Israeli strikes killed two brothers near al-Farabi School in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis.

Al Jazeera names the victims as Juma and Fadi Tamer Abu Assi and says medics and witnesses told reporters an Israeli drone bombed a group of civilians near the school.

Al Jazeera

DW and the South China Morning Post report relatives and hospital staff identifying the boys, variously described as about 8 to 12 or as 10 and 12 years old, and say the strike hit near a school sheltering displaced people.

Sky News and the IDF give an alternative account, with the IDF telling Sky News it identified two people who crossed a 'yellow line', carried out 'suspicious activities' and approached Israeli troops.

The IDF said the Israeli Air Force struck to remove an immediate threat.

These parallel accounts present witnesses and hospital sources describing civilian deaths while the Israeli military frames the action as a response to suspected militants.

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10-11, Gaza health officials and rights groups report dozens to hundreds of Palestinians killed in incidents they describe as ceasefire violations.

“The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced that the number of martyrs has risen to more than 70,000 since the start of the Israeli campaign of extermination, while the occupation army continued striking areas in Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern sector despite the ongoing ceasefire”

Al-Jazeera Net

Multiple sources cite counts of 352-354 Palestinians killed since the truce began.

Sky News says Gaza health authorities report at least 352 killed; WTOP reports 352; the South China Morning Post and DW cite 354; and Al-Jazeera Net reports 354 killed, 906 injured and 606 bodies recovered.

IMEMC News and local outlets add accounts of naval fire on displaced people in Rafah and say Israeli forces have continued strikes that killed children and other civilians during the declared ceasefire.

Israeli strikes have coincided with broader regional escalation and reported abuses on the occupied West Bank.

Syrian officials say an Israeli raid killed at least 13 people, according to WTOP and Sky News.

DW

Israel has stepped up strikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

Video footage prompted Palestinian accusations that Israeli troops executed two West Bank men, and Israel is investigating.

DW and the South China Morning Post report that settler attacks in the West Bank injured around ten Palestinians near Bethlehem.

These reports show the war's direct violence inside Gaza is mirrored by a wider pattern of Israeli operations and settler violence across the region.

Humanitarian sources and local rights groups cited by several outlets say Israeli strikes and naval fire have battered areas sheltering displaced Palestinians, impeded rescue operations, and forced mass movements of civilians.

“An attack occurred beyond the Yellow Line — the ceasefire demarcation set on October 10, 2023 — drawing widespread condemnation and prompting Hamas to urge the international community to pressure Israel to respect the truce”

Emegypt

IMEMC News reported Israeli navy vessels fired on displaced Palestinians on Rafah’s beaches, forcing hundreds to flee and hampering rescue teams.

Emegypt

Al Jazeera Net and Al Jazeera reported continued shelling and strikes in Rafah and Khan Yunis and said medics and hospital sources documented civilian casualties.

DW notes the UN has decried alleged summary executions and documented high West Bank death counts, underscoring international concern.

Different outlets vary on whether they foreground rights-group condemnation or Israel’s operational claims.