Israel kills 11 Palestinian in Gaza’s deadliest ceasefire breach

Israel kills 11 Palestinians in deadliest breach on 18 October 2025._11zon

Israeli forces have killed 11 members of a Palestinian family in Gaza, marking the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it came into effect eight days ago.

The attack occurred Friday evening when an Israeli tank shell struck a civilian vehicle carrying the Abu Shaaban family in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, Gaza’s civil defence reported. Seven children and three women were among those killed as the family attempted to return home to inspect their property, civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said.

“They could have been warned or handled differently,” Basal said, adding that “what happened confirms that the occupation remains thirsty for blood and continues to commit crimes against innocent civilians.”

Hamas condemned the attack as a “massacre,” stating that the family was targeted without justification. The group called on U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators to pressure Israel to uphold the ceasefire.

The incident took place after Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinians who crossed the so-called “yellow line,” the boundary to which Israel had agreed to withdraw under the ceasefire terms. Many residents remain unaware of Israeli positions along the demarcation due to limited internet access, putting families at risk, Al Jazeera reporter Hind Khoudary said from Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the yellow lines will soon be clearly marked.

Israeli forces currently control roughly 53 percent of Gaza, Khoudary added. Since the ceasefire began, Israel has killed at least 28 Palestinians and imposed severe restrictions on essential aid, including food and medical supplies. Last week, five Palestinians were killed in the Shujayea neighbourhood of Gaza City.

Israel has also kept the Rafah crossing with Egypt closed and blocked other key border points, preventing large-scale humanitarian aid deliveries. The United Nations warned that aid convoys are struggling to reach famine-hit areas, with nearly half of the population accessing less than six litres of drinking water per day — far below emergency standards. The World Food Programme has delivered an average of 560 tonnes of food daily since the truce began, insufficient to meet the needs of those facing malnutrition.

Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire, including returning the remains of Israeli captives trapped under Gaza’s rubble. The group handed over another body Friday evening, bringing the total to 10 since the truce began. However, Hamas says further recovery efforts are hampered because Israel has blocked the entry of heavy machinery and excavation equipment necessary to retrieve additional remains.

Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said the restrictions on equipment are creating major challenges for Gaza residents, who have the expertise to search for and recover bodies from under the rubble.

Source: Agency via UNB