Truce in Turmoil: Devastating Strikes in Gaza Shatter Fragile Ceasefire

Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes killed 23 Palestinians, including seven children, in Gaza, undermining a U.S.-backed truce. Strikes targeted civilian areas and militants, sparking calls for international intervention. The violence comes shortly after the reopening of the Rafah crossing, a key component of ceasefire agreements.

In a devastating blow to a recently brokered truce, Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling claimed the lives of 23 Palestinians, including seven children, in Gaza on Wednesday, according to health officials. The attack has further destabilized the fragile ceasefire in the region.

Despite the recent opening of Gaza's main border crossing with Egypt, violence escalated as Israeli military responded to militant strikes on its troops. Among those killed was a senior Hamas commander, and the clash reignited tensions as calls for international intervention grew louder.

The Rafah border's reopening was seen as a glimmer of hope for humanitarian escape and aid, yet the violence underscores the ongoing volatility in the enclave. The ceasefire remains precarious, with continuous violence casting doubt on long-term peace efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)