Qatar, Egypt and Turkey condemn Israel's 'continued violations' in Gaza after weekend strikes kill over 20

Joint condemnation

Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, the three countries mediating the Gaza truce, issued a joint statement overnight condemning Israel's "continued violations" in the Gaza Strip. The statement specifically cited the targeting of health facilities and infrastructure, and civilian casualties including women and children. It called the actions "a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law" and warned that such violations endangered the path to de-escalation and worsened civilian suffering.

These continued Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of health facilities and infrastructure, and causing civilian casualties, including women and children, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

Weekend strikes

Israeli airstrikes over the weekend killed more than 20 Palestinians, according to multiple reports. On Sunday, strikes killed 19 people in one of the heaviest single-day tolls in recent months, a security source told AFP. A rocket hit an apartment in Gaza City, killing a child, and medics reported that two married couples and two children were among the dead. On Monday, an Israeli bombardment of a vehicle west of Gaza City killed two Palestinians and wounded several others, a civil defense spokesman said. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating that senior Hamas commanders were targeted.

Ceasefire under strain

A formal ceasefire has been in place since October 2025, but hostilities have never fully ceased. Both sides accuse each other of violating the truce. Since October 2025, more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the enclave's health ministry, figures the UN considers reliable. The Israeli army has recorded five soldiers and one civilian contractor killed in the same period. Israel continues to control more than half of the Gaza Strip.

Diplomatic efforts

The mediators' condemnation came days after US President Donald Trump said that Hamas and other armed groups had agreed to disarm under his peace plan, and that the Israeli army would withdraw. Trump's statement on Thursday raised hopes of a breakthrough. On Friday, Hamas announced it had accepted the next step of the plan, which includes its disarmament in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal. The mediators' joint statement urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and the ceasefire agreement to avoid undermining its implementation.

Protection and aid demands

The three countries reiterated calls for comprehensive protection of civilians, medical facilities, and aid workers. They demanded that the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical supplies be ensured throughout the Gaza Strip. The statement stressed that Israel must uphold its responsibilities under international humanitarian law.