Gaza Death Toll Rises: 22 Killed in Fresh Israeli Strikes Amid Ongoing Tensions

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At least 22 people lost their lives in a series of Israeli strikes on Gaza, the civil defence agency revealed on Wednesday. The attacks, which targeted Hamas positions across the Gaza Strip, also injured several others. According to the civil defence agency, 12 people were killed in Gaza City, while 10 died in the southern Khan Yunis area. The Israeli military justified the strikes, stating that Hamas militants had opened fire towards an area where troops were operating in the territory's south. The military claimed that this action breached the fragile truce that has largely held in Gaza since October 10. Despite the tensions, a ceasefire agreement has been in place, allowing for the return of the last 48 hostages, both living and dead. However, the implementation of the US-brokered deal, which includes disarming Hamas and deploying an international stabilisation force, remains pending. The current conflict stems from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people. Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 69,513 people, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Meanwhile, Israel also conducted strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting Hezbollah weapons storage facilities. The Israeli military accused the Iran-backed group of attempting to rebuild its capabilities. This escalation comes despite a ceasefire sealed last November, which aimed to end over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. In a separate development, Israel's top leaders visited troops stationed inside Syrian territory, sparking condemnation from Damascus. The visit was seen as a serious violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Damascus demanding that Israel withdraw its forces from the area.