Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in two attacks in Gaza on Saturday. The Israeli military said both operations targeted militants, while Israel accused Hamas of rebuilding its arsenal and violating the ceasefire. Medics said four people died near Panda Mall in Gaza City and one in the Tuffah neighbourhood. The military provided no further information about the strikes.
The deaths came on the first anniversary of a US-brokered ceasefire. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces had killed at least eight Palestinians, including an eight-year-old girl, in several areas of Gaza since dawn. The accounts give different totals and attributions: Gaza health officials separately said Israeli fire had killed at least 1,400 Palestinians since the ceasefire was agreed last October, while Israel said militants had killed four of its soldiers in Gaza over the same period.
The ceasefire and the Hamas dispute
Israel has stepped up strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, saying the group has rearmed and carried out attacks in violation of the ceasefire. Hamas denies rebuilding its arsenal or planning attacks, and accuses Israel of undermining the truce. The military did not provide further details about the militants it said it targeted in Saturday’s two strikes.
The ceasefire agreement calls for Gaza’s eventual reconstruction, but little progress has been made toward a deal to end the conflict. Its terms require Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops. Disputes over Hamas’s weapons and alleged attacks remain unresolved.
The war began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Those attacks killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent bombardment and ground operations in Gaza have killed more than 74,000 people, according to Gaza health officials. Middle East Eye reported that Israeli attacks killed more than 1,400 Palestinians during the year since the truce.
UAE launches food aid airlift
The UAE began airlifting food aid to Gaza on Friday through the newly launched Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge, aiming to supply more than 10 million meals to Palestinians. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 launched flights carrying food parcels from Al Maktoum International Airport. Volunteers, community members and admirers of Sheikh Ahmed gathered at Dubai World Trade Centre to prepare aid packages for families and children in Gaza.
The operation plans seven consignments: six flights carrying 450 tonnes of food parcels and one vessel transporting 4,000 tonnes of supplies. Hammoud Al Afari, director of UAE relief operations under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, said the bridge augmented the UAE’s humanitarian efforts. He said the flights reflected the “high level of efficiency and expertise” of the Emirati teams involved.
Al Afari said Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, launched in November 2023 under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, had provided assistance throughout the conflict. The operation combines emergency relief, health care, logistical support, recovery and rehabilitation programmes.
Since November 2023, the UAE has provided more than $4 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, accounting for 46 per cent of global humanitarian aid since 2023. Its deliveries included 130,708 tonnes of relief, medical and food supplies transported by 796 aircraft, 25 ships and 14,483 lorries. The aid operation is proceeding as the ceasefire’s reconstruction and disarmament terms remain largely unimplemented.