Israeli forces have intensified their attacks in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, with a series of airstrikes and raids reported on Thursday. In Gaza, Israeli warplanes carried out four airstrikes east of the city, targeting uninhabited homes near the "Yellow Line" in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood. The Israeli military also launched artillery fire on the eastern outskirts of the Al-Masdar village in central Gaza.
The escalation in Gaza comes a day after eight Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Strip. According to the Palestinian Center for Media, the Israeli military has continued to violate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza through airstrikes, artillery fire, and gunfire. The renewed violence has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in the densely populated territory.
The Palestinian death toll since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023, has risen to 74,040, with 175,142 injured, according to Palestinian sources. The recent violence has also resulted in 1,439 Palestinian fatalities and 5,026 injuries since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025. The situation remains dire, with 834 cases of mass graves reported.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have carried out a series of raids, including an incursion into the town of Tammun, south of Tubas. The Israeli military has also deployed troops in the area, with several homes raided. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli settlers have stormed the Joseph's Tomb in the eastern part of Nablus, performing Talmudic rituals under heavy Israeli security protection.
The Joseph's Tomb site has long been a source of tension between Palestinians and Israelis, with the former claiming it is an Islamic archaeological site and the latter considering it a sacred site. The tomb is located in the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, in an area under Palestinian Authority control. Israeli forces have frequently closed off the area during settler raids.
The Israeli military has maintained a heavy presence in the area, with armored vehicles deployed and snipers stationed on rooftops. The renewed violence comes ahead of Israel's legislative elections, scheduled for October 27, 2026. The current government, led by the Prime Minister, faces significant opposition and criticism over its handling of the Gaza conflict.
The escalation in Gaza and the West Bank has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation and the prospects for a lasting peace. The international community has called for restraint and a return to negotiations. The situation remains volatile, with further violence and unrest possible.
Key points
- The Israeli military has launched a series of airstrikes and raids in Gaza and the West Bank, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties.
- The Joseph's Tomb site in Nablus has been a source of tension between Palestinians and Israelis, with settler raids and military closures.
- The renewed violence comes ahead of Israel's legislative elections, with the government facing opposition and criticism over its handling of the Gaza conflict.
