Israeli airstrikes killed 9 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, including a tent encampment housing displaced families, according to Palestinian officials. The attacks, which Israel called a response to Hamas ceasefire violations, targeted areas near the Yellow Line demarcation zone. Medics reported four deaths in a northern strike on a tent camp and five more in Khan Younis, a southern city. Israel’s military claimed the strikes were precise, citing Hamas militants emerging from tunnels east of the Yellow Line, which separates Israeli and Hamas-controlled zones.

The IDF said it observed armed fighters near its troops in northern Gaza, destroying tunnels and eliminating two gunmen in an airstrike. It accused Hamas of six violations of the October ceasefire, including crossing the Yellow Line with armed personnel. Israel’s military called the attacks “in line with international law,” while Palestinian health officials noted 600 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the Gaza deal began. Four Israeli soldiers were also reported killed by militants during the same period.

The escalation highlights persistent tensions between Israel and Hamas despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Analysts note the Yellow Line violations and tunnel activity suggest Hamas’s intent to provoke clashes, undermining diplomatic efforts. With over 600 civilian casualties reported, the conflict’s humanitarian toll remains a focal point for international observers.

This cycle of violence risks derailing peace talks and exacerbating regional instability. As both sides trade accusations of breaches, the Gaza Strip remains a flashpoint for global security concerns. The situation underscores the fragility of ceasefire agreements in conflict zones.