IOF carry out mass demolitions in Khan Younis, Gaza despite ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
1 Nov 2025 16:16
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Israeli occupation forces conduct large-scale demolitions in Khan Younis and Gaza City, striking residential areas and deepening the humanitarian crisis despite the ongoing ceasefire.

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Forcibly displaced Palestinians walk through an area surrounded by destroyed buildings by Israeli occupation forces in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 (AP)

Israeli occupation forces on Saturday carried out large-scale demolitions targeting residential areas in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, in yet another flagrant aggression despite the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli artillery pounded multiple neighborhoods in Khan Younis early Saturday morning, as Israeli occupation forces detonated entire residential complexes east of the city in what witnesses described as a “massive explosion operation” that leveled dozens of Palestinian homes within minutes, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported.

The correspondent added that the IOF also fired smoke bombs over the towns of Aabasan and Bani Suheila, as air raids and naval shelling simultaneously struck other areas in the south of the Strip. Palestinian media outlets reported that the attacks caused widespread destruction to civilian structures, infrastructure, and residential blocks.

Ongoing destruction despite ceasefire

In Gaza City, the IOF blew up additional residential buildings in the eastern districts, continuing what local observers described as a systematic campaign of deliberate destruction. The renewed aggressions came despite the ceasefire being formally in effect, an agreement that “Israel” has repeatedly breached through ongoing assaults and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The Government Media Office in Gaza warned that the continued Israeli aggression has further worsened the already catastrophic humanitarian situation across the enclave.

The media office reported that approximately 20,000 unexploded munitions remain scattered across destroyed neighborhoods, agricultural fields, and rubble-strewn streets, posing what it described as a “direct and grave threat” to Palestinians, particularly children, farmers, and workers.

“These bombs, containing highly volatile materials banned under international law, could remain active for years,” the statement said.

Authorities have already documented multiple deadly attacks caused by these remnants, including explosions that killed and wounded several civilians, among them children.

Rising toll and worsening conditions

Hospitals in Gaza received 22 bodies, including 17 retrieved from beneath the rubble, as well as nine injuries in 48 hours. Rescue teams continue to face extreme difficulties reaching trapped victims due to ongoing shelling and the immense scale of destruction across the Strip.

Since the beginning of "Israel’s" genocide on October 7, 2023, Gaza’s health authorities have recorded 68,858 martyrs and 170,664 wounded. Despite the ceasefire declared on October 11, 2025, Israeli occupation forces have killed at least 226 Palestinians and injured 594 others, while 499 bodies have been retrieved from beneath collapsed buildings in various areas of Gaza.

The Ministry noted that 193 martyrs, whose data have been completed and approved by the judicial committee following up on the reports and missing persons file from 24/10/2025 to 31/10/2025, have been added to the overall death toll.

‘Israel’ hands over 30 Palestinian bodies under Gaza ceasefire deal

Tel Aviv handed over to the Gaza authorities the bodies of another 30 Palestinians held at Israeli prisons as part of their ceasefire exchange deal, Palestinian news agency Safa reported on Friday.

The bodies were transferred to Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. This is reportedly the fifth handover of prisoner bodies, which brings the total count up to 225. Many bodies are said to bear traces of torture and execution, such as burns, bound hands, and eyes.

The Guardian reported last week that the Israeli regime had handed over to Gaza at least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians who were held at the notorious Israeli Sde Teiman military base. The facility is believed to be the site of summary executions, torture, and sexual abuse. The daily reported that photos of Sde Teiman detainees in its possession showed people blindfolded and handcuffed.

The ceasefire agreement between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian movement Hamas took effect on October 10. On October 13, US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on the Gaza ceasefire.