At Least 11 Palestinians Killed as Gaza Airstrikes Escalate Amid Political Tensions

At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to medics, with casualties reported among displaced families sheltering in tent encampments. Additional strikes in Khan Younis in the south further increased the death toll. While the Israeli military described the attacks as a response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, critics argue that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing hostilities.

These developments come amid broader geopolitical debate surrounding proposals for Gaza’s future governance and reconstruction. Senior Researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Na’eem Jeenah, has criticised reports of a so-called “Board of Peace” initiative associated with US President Donald Trump.

“I mean, Trump set up this board of peace and presented it to the UN as some kind of structure that would help with the reconstruction of Gaza. In fact, the charter doesn’t mention Gaza at all. It talks about conflict and sets up this board, of which Trump is the chairperson for life,” Jeenah said.

He added that the structure would centralise decision-making authority: “He will decide who his successor will be, what its budget will be, who will be invited to serve on the board, and where the billion dollars go. He’s also said it will be an alternative to the United Nations.”

Jeenah further linked the proposal to ongoing tensions on the ground, arguing that conditions contradict the notion of a sustained ceasefire. “Since it was declared in October 2025, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed and about 1,600 violations have been recorded,” he said, noting restrictions on aid deliveries, border access, and territorial shifts inside Gaza.

As violence continues, analysts warn that humanitarian concerns and political disputes remain deeply intertwined, raising pressing questions about accountability, governance proposals, and the prospects for meaningful peace.

VOC News

Photo: Pixabay

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Lee-Yandra Paulsen

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