tinian officials in the Gaza Strip confirmed the death of the commander and reported additional casualties including civilians, though the precise toll could not be independently verified. Gaza health authorities said emergency teams were continuing search and rescue operations in densely populated neighborhoods hit in the strikes. Residents described multiple explosions shaking residential districts before dawn with plumes of smoke rising above the enclave. It felt like the ground was moving said one local resident. People ran into the streets in panic. The escalation follows days of heightened friction along the border. Israeli officials have accused militant factions in Gaza of launching rockets and incendiary devices, while Palestinian groups have cited Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank and tensions surrounding holy sites in Jerusalem as triggers for retaliation. Prime Ministerial officials in Israel said the government would act decisively against any threat to Israeli civilians, signaling that further military action remains possible. Meanwhile, leaders of Hamas condemned the strikes and warned of consequences. Though it was not immediately clear whether the group would expand its involvement. International mediators including Egyptian and United Nations representatives were reported to be in contact with both sides in an effort to prevent a broader confrontation. Previous rounds of fighting between Israel and Gaza-based militants have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, prompting global calls for restraint. The latest violence underscores the fragility of the security situation, as political stalemate and mutual distrust continue to fuel periodic outbreaks of hostilities. Analysts say without a sustained diplomatic initiative addressing underlying grievances, the cycle of escalation is likely to persist.