Israel Intensifies Gaza Assault Ahead of International Stabilization Force Arrival

Israeli forces have escalated military actions across the Gaza Strip, with intensified artillery shelling and the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure reported in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Gaza City. These operations are occurring just ahead of a pilot project for the "Board of Peace," an initiative spearheaded by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

WAFA correspondents reported significant destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure in eastern and northeastern Khan Younis on Tuesday morning. Artillery fire also impacted western Rafah, while Israeli military vehicles engaged in shelling in eastern Khan Younis. In Gaza City, Israeli forces detonated a booby-trapped robot laden with explosives, targeting homes in the Tuffah neighborhood. Sporadic explosions and intense firing were also noted in the Shuja'iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods, extending to eastern Beit Lahia in the north and the Atatra area in the northwest.

Medical sources confirmed that eight Palestinians, including two children, were killed on Monday, with several others injured. The total number of Palestinian casualties since the ceasefire violation in October 2025 has now risen to 1,045 deaths and 3,380 injuries. The overall death toll from Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has reached 73,058, with 173,488 injured.