Ceasefire breached: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill three
What happened
- Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City on May 26, killing at least three people, Palestinian hospital officials said, as Israel said it targeted Hamas's new commander. - Israel said the target was Mohammad Odeh, Hamas's newly appointed armed wing chief, after earlier strikes killed his predecessor, according to Reuters. - The ceasefire terms are outlined in a UK Parliament briefing covering the October 13, 2025 agreement and subsequent implementation.
Why it matters
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City late on Tuesday, May 26, killing at least three people and wounding 12, Palestinian hospital officials said, in one of the latest deadly incidents since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October. Israel said the strike targeted Mohammad Odeh, whom it identified as Hamas’s newly appointed armed wing chief in Gaza. The attack came on the eve of Eid al-Adha and underscored how the truce has continued alongside targeted military action and recurring allegations of violations by both sides. ### Who did Israel say it was trying to kill? Israel said on Wednesday that Mohammad Odeh was killed in an operation in Gaza on Tuesday, describing him as Hamas’s newly appointed armed wing chief in the enclave. Reuters reported that Israel said the strike came days after it killed Odeh’s predecessor. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement cited by multiple reports that the target was the new leader of Hamas’s military wing. (apnews.com) Palestinian hospital officials, cited by the Associated Press, reported the immediate toll from the airstrikes but did not confirm the identity of those killed. (usnews.com) ### What is known about the people killed in Gaza City? Gaza hospital officials said at least three people were killed and 12 injured in two Israeli strikes in Gaza City late on May 26. The Associated Press reported that the strikes hit on the eve of Eid al-Adha, when the territory’s population remains largely displaced and many people are living in tents or temporary shelters. (thehindu.com) Palestinian officials have repeatedly said civilians have been among those killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began. Israel has said its strikes are aimed at Hamas operatives, responses to Hamas violations, or actions taken against threats to Israeli soldiers. ### What does the ceasefire agreement require? The House of Commons Library said a new hostage-release and ceasefire agreement began on October 13, 2025, after fighting resumed in March 2025 when an earlier arrangement collapsed. (apnews.com) The briefing says the later agreement provided for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal to a set line in Gaza, and increased aid deliveries under U.N. auspices. (halifax.citynews.ca) The same parliamentary briefing says the October 2025 deal followed months of renewed conflict after the March 18, 2025 end of the previous hostage-ceasefire agreement. That timeline is central to understanding why current strikes are being described by outside observers as breaches or erosions of a formal truce rather than part of an openly resumed war. ### How much violence has continued since the truce began? (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) The Associated Press reported that more than 880 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect. A recent U.N. political affairs update described the ceasefire as “increasingly fragile” and cited Gaza Health Ministry figures that about 800 Palestinians, including more than 200 children, had been killed since the ceasefire began. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) Reuters reported earlier in May that Israel had stepped up attacks in Gaza after a pause in fighting with Iran, while the Israeli military said Hamas was rearming. Palestinians interviewed by Reuters said the war had not truly stopped on the ground despite the ceasefire announcement. ### What happens next under the existing deal? (halifax.citynews.ca) The October 13, 2025 agreement remains the formal framework governing hostage releases, Israeli troop positioning and aid access, according to the House of Commons Library. Israel and Hamas have continued to accuse each other of violations while the agreement remains in force. Future developments are likely to be measured against those written terms: whether hostages are released, whether Israeli forces remain behind the agreed line, and whether U.N.-supported aid deliveries continue. (usnews.com) The next public accounting is likely to come through Israeli military statements, Palestinian health authorities and international monitors tracking implementation of the October 2025 ceasefire. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
Key numbers
- Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City on May 26, killing at least three people, Palestinian hospital officials said, as Israel said it targeted Hamas's new commander.
- The ceasefire terms are outlined in a UK Parliament briefing covering the October 13, 2025 agreement and subsequent implementation.
- Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City late on Tuesday, May 26, killing at least three people and wounding 12, Palestinian hospital officials said, in one of the latest deadly incidents since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October.
- Gaza hospital officials said at least three people were killed and 12 injured in two Israeli strikes in Gaza City late on May 26.
What happens next
- Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City late on Tuesday, May 26, killing at least three people and wounding 12, Palestinian hospital officials said, in one of the latest deadly incidents since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement cited by multiple reports that the target was the new leader of Hamas’s military wing.
- Gaza hospital officials said at least three people were killed and 12 injured in two Israeli strikes in Gaza City late on May 26.
Quick answers
What happened in Ceasefire breached: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill three?
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City on May 26, killing at least three people, Palestinian hospital officials said, as Israel said it targeted Hamas's new commander. Israel said the target was Mohammad Odeh, Hamas's newly appointed armed wing chief, after earlier strikes killed his predecessor, according to Reuters. The ceasefire terms are outlined in a UK Parliament briefing covering the October 13, 2025 agreement and subsequent implementation.
Why does Ceasefire breached: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill three matter?
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City late on Tuesday, May 26, killing at least three people and wounding 12, Palestinian hospital officials said, in one of the latest deadly incidents since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October. Israel said the strike targeted Mohammad Odeh, whom it identified as Hamas’s newly appointed armed wing chief in Gaza. The attack came on the eve of Eid al-Adha and underscored how the truce has continued alongside targeted military action and recurring allegations of violations by both sides. Who did Israel say it was trying to kill? Israel said on Wednesday that Mohammad Odeh was killed in an operation in Gaza on Tuesday, describing him as Hamas’s newly appointed armed wing chief in the enclave. Reuters reported that Israel said the strike came days after it killed Odeh’s predecessor. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement cited by multiple reports that the target was the new leader of Hamas’s military wing. (apnews.com) Palestinian hospital officials, cited by the Associated Press, reported the immediate toll from the airstrikes but did not confirm the identity of those killed. (usnews.com) What is known about the people killed in Gaza City? Gaza hospital officials said at least three people were killed and 12 injured in two Israeli strikes in Gaza City late on May 26. The Associated Press reported that the strikes hit on the eve of Eid al-Adha, when the territory’s population remains largely displaced and many people are living in tents or temporary shelters. (thehindu.com) Palestinian officials have repeatedly said civilians have been among those killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began. Israel has said its strikes are aimed at Hamas operatives, responses to Hamas violations, or actions taken against threats to Israeli soldiers. What does the ceasefire agreement require? The House of Commons Library said a new hostage-release and ceasefire agreement began on October 13, 2025, after fighting resumed in March 2025 when an earlier arrangement collapsed. (apnews.com) The briefing says the later agreement provided for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal to a set line in Gaza, and increased aid deliveries under U.N. auspices. (halifax.citynews.ca) The same parliamentary briefing says the October 2025 deal followed months of renewed conflict after the March 18, 2025 end of the previous hostage-ceasefire agreement. That timeline is central to understanding why current strikes are being described by outside observers as breaches or erosions of a formal truce rather than part of an openly resumed war. How much violence has continued since the truce began? (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) The Associated Press reported that more than 880 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect. A recent U.N. political affairs update described the ceasefire as “increasingly fragile” and cited Gaza Health Ministry figures that about 800 Palestinians, including more than 200 children, had been killed since the ceasefire began. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) Reuters reported earlier in May that Israel had stepped up attacks in Gaza after a pause in fighting with Iran, while the Israeli military said Hamas was rearming. Palestinians interviewed by Reuters said the war had not truly stopped on the ground despite the ceasefire announcement. What happens next under the existing deal? (halifax.citynews.ca) The October 13, 2025 agreement remains the formal framework governing hostage releases, Israeli troop positioning and aid access, according to the House of Commons Library. Israel and Hamas have continued to accuse each other of violations while the agreement remains in force. Future developments are likely to be measured against those written terms: whether hostages are released, whether Israeli forces remain behind the agreed line, and whether U.N.-supported aid deliveries continue. (usnews.com) The next public accounting is likely to come through Israeli military statements, Palestinian health authorities and international monitors tracking implementation of the October 2025 ceasefire. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
