Israel-Gaza Tensions Flare: Airstrike Targets Islamic Jihad Member Despite Ceasefire

Jerusalem/Gaza: In a renewed flashpoint amid a fragile truce, Israel launched a targeted airstrike in central Gaza late on Saturday, killing a suspected Islamic Jihad operative accused of planning attacks against Israeli troops. The strike, carried out in the Nuseirat refugee camp, came despite the ongoing U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in effect since earlier this month.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation was part of a “precise and limited mission” aimed at neutralizing an imminent threat. In a statement, the military said, “We conducted a targeted strike against a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist identified as actively planning attacks against Israeli soldiers in southern Israel.” The IDF added that all operations were carried out in coordination with the existing ceasefire protocols.

Witnesses in Gaza told news agencies that a drone-fired missile struck a moving car in the Nuseirat area, setting it ablaze. Local medical sources confirmed that at least four people were injured, though there were no immediate reports of fatalities. Emergency workers were seen dousing the flames as crowds gathered near the debris-strewn road.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group has yet to release an official response, though sources in Gaza described the strike as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire. Hamas officials have also accused Israel of “sabotaging peace efforts” while reinforcing their commitment to the truce mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year.

The ceasefire agreement, implemented to end months of cross-border violence, includes provisions for hostage recovery and gradual reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. As per reports, Israel recently allowed Egyptian diplomatic teams to enter Gaza to assist in locating the remains of Israeli captives taken during the 2023 conflict.

While Israeli authorities maintained that their actions were defensive, the strike has drawn international concern over potential escalation. A spokesperson for the United Nations Middle East Peace Office called for restraint, warning that “further retaliatory cycles risk unraveling humanitarian progress achieved since the truce.”

Residents of Gaza reported sounds of explosions and tank shelling in some eastern parts of the city even after midnight, raising fears of renewed hostilities. Fuel shortages and damaged infrastructure continue to hamper civilian life, with aid agencies urging both sides to uphold the ceasefire to prevent a humanitarian collapse.

The current ceasefire, active since early October 2025, has remained fragile, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of repeated violations. While peace talks brokered by Washington and Doha continue, Saturday’s strike underscores how easily regional tensions could erupt into a new wave of conflict.