At least eight Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on two residential neighborhoods in Gaza City on Saturday, according to medical sources who spoke to Al Jazeera. The strikes hit areas in al-Nasr and al-Zeitoun, neighborhoods that lie beyond the boundaries Israeli forces were reportedly meant to hold under a ceasefire.

A warplane destroyed an apartment in the al-Nasr neighborhood, killing five people. Medical sources at Al Shifa hospital complex reported that the building was demolished and a neighboring block sustained damage. Witnesses described the area as densely populated and busy with pedestrians. Rescue teams were engaged in efforts to find victims trapped in the rubble, with fears that the death toll could increase.

Earlier on Saturday, artillery fire targeted the al-Zeitoun neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of three people, medical sources confirmed. Similar strikes have recently been reported in the nearby Tel al-Hawa district. The Associated Press reported that Israel has confirmed carrying out strikes across Gaza.

The attacks come as Israel has reportedly expanded the range of its military operations within Gaza, moving beyond the so-called “Yellow Line” previously adhered to during a fragile ceasefire. This expansion means Israeli forces now control a significant portion of the territory, reportedly close to 70 percent, exceeding the roughly half previously expected under the agreement.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States in October, as part of a broader plan aimed at ending the war and facilitating reconstruction. Despite this agreement, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily strikes. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 1,127 Palestinians, including 260 children, have been killed since the ceasefire began. The ministry also reported five Israeli soldiers killed in the same period.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza, described the current situation as one where the territory is being "shrunk" and "fragmented" into smaller, disconnected zones. This fragmentation makes movement extremely difficult for Palestinians and contributes to the "erasure of urban life," potentially leading to lost livelihoods.

These developments also occur amidst broader geopolitical discussions. The article notes related events such as two U.S. service members killed in Jordan and another reported missing, with CENTCOM issuing a statement. The context of the wider conflict and its impact on civilian populations remains a significant concern.

The ongoing hostilities and expanding operational range raise questions about the effectiveness of the ceasefire, the future of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and the long-term implications for the region's stability. The continued civilian casualties underscore the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the densely populated territory.