Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least four Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, health officials said, in fresh bloodshed that showed how fragile the year-old Gaza ceasefire has become. Among the dead were a married couple and a 17-year-old boy, killed in separate incidents in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
An Israeli airstrike hit an apartment in Gaza City, killing Akram Yassin and his wife, Dina Abu Baker, medics said. Residents inspected the damaged building before gathering for the couple’s funeral. The Israeli military said it had struck a militant in the area but gave no details, leaving unclear whether the couple had any link to the stated target.
FAKTA — Key Facts
- At least four Palestinians were killed in separate incidents on Tuesday, October 20, according to health officials.
- Akram Yassin and his wife Dina Abu Baker died when an Israeli airstrike hit their Gaza City apartment; the military said it struck a militant in the area.
- A 17-year-old boy was killed by Israeli gunfire near Qizan Al-Najar in Khan Younis; another Palestinian was shot dead in the Zeitoun suburb east of Gaza City.
- The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the two gunfire incidents.
- Gaza health officials say at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began; Israel says four of its soldiers were killed by militants in the same period.
Couple Killed in Gaza City Strike
Medics said the Gaza City airstrike hit the apartment where Akram Yassin and Dina Abu Baker were staying. Mahmoud Yassin, the brother of the man killed, voiced the frustration of residents who expected the truce to bring calm.
“We are supposed to be in a ceasefire period, but honestly, we are not seeing a ceasefire or anything,” he said. “The war is still going on, assassinations are continuing, and the shelling has not stopped.”
In the south, medics said the teenager was shot dead near Qizan Al-Najar in Khan Younis, while a man was killed by gunfire in Zeitoun. The military’s silence on both cases raised fresh questions about how the truce is being upheld.
Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain
The truce, brokered by the United States a year ago, was meant to halt the fighting and open the way to reconstruction and a lasting settlement. Little progress has been made toward the wider deal, which includes terms for Hamas to disarm and for Israeli forces to withdraw from the territory.
Both sides dispute responsibility for the ongoing violence. Israel says Hamas has been rearming and carrying out attacks in violation of the ceasefire and has stepped up its strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas denies attempting attacks or rebuilding its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace agreement. With both sides trading blame, Tuesday’s toll brought the reported deaths since the truce began to at least 1,500 Palestinians. More international news is available on Watan News International.
