Israeli air strikes have killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza, marking the latest breach of the truce deal signed with Hamas more than four months ago.
The attacks occurred in northern Gaza’s Jabalia camp and the Qizan an-Najjar area in southern Gaza on the third day of Ramadan. The total death toll from Israel’s attacks since the “ceasefire” came into effect has risen to 614, with 1,640 more Palestinians wounded, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Israel’s military acknowledged one of the attacks, claiming its forces killed a fighter who crossed onto Israel’s side of the demarcation line in northern Gaza and approached its troops “in a manner that posed an immediate threat”.
Recent Developments
Saturday’s attacks come two days after US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace held its first-ever meeting, addressing reconstruction, security, and governance in the war-battered Strip. Trump announced that nine countries committed $7bn for Gaza reconstruction efforts, on top of a $10bn contribution from the United States.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the group wants peacekeeping forces that monitor the ceasefire, ensure its implementation, and act as a buffer between the occupation army and the people in the Gaza Strip, without interfering in Gaza’s internal affairs.
International Response
Many Palestinians have expressed deep scepticism about the plan’s prospects for success, citing Israel’s continued deadly attacks and lingering aid shortages. Awad al-Ghoul, a 70-year-old Palestinian displaced from Tal as-Sultan in southern Rafah, said “Israel kills, bombs, violates the ceasefire agreement daily and expands the buffer zone without anyone stopping it”.
Authorities said the situation in Gaza remains volatile, with the task of disarming Hamas still unresolved, threatening to delay or derail the entire reconstruction process. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Hamas must disarm before any reconstruction begins.
Source: Al Jazeera
