A recent Israeli air strike has resulted in the deaths of three Palestinian men in Gaza, according to medics, amid a lack of progress in renewed discussions aimed at maintaining a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The latest incident of violence highlights the precarious nature of the three-stage truce established during the Gaza conflict, with medics reporting that the men were killed near the Bureij camp in the central area of the devastated enclave by a missile launched from a drone.
In Rafah, located in southern Gaza, medics reported that three individuals were injured in a separate air strike. Residents of Rafah have noted ongoing gunfire from Israeli forces near the border with Egypt, within the city limits.
The Israeli military announced in a statement that they targeted “terrorists” operating in central Gaza and Rafah who were allegedly attempting to plant explosives near their forces.
He called on Israel to cease “violations” that he warned could “undermine all efforts for de-escalation”.
He indicated that the death toll of Palestinians since the January ceasefire has reached 150.
According to Israel’s military, they have consistently thwarted Palestinian attempts to plant explosives or pose threats to their forces.
The halt of goods entering Gaza for the past 16 days has intensified the strain on Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, the majority of whom have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
This suspension, which Israel claims is intended to pressure Hamas during ceasefire negotiations, encompasses food, medicine, and fuel imports.
Closure of Bakeries
Many bakeries have recently shut down, while food prices are climbing, and electricity cuts threaten to deprive residents of access to clean water.
Israel seeks to prolong the first phase of the ceasefire, which is mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, a move supported by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Hamas has stated that it will resume the release of hostages only in conjunction with the second phase, scheduled to commence on 2 March.
Ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas are being facilitated by Egyptian mediators in Cairo.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua asserted that while his group is adhering to the terms of the truce, Israel “attempts to undermine the agreement and impose new conditions”.
On Friday, Hamas announced its willingness to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander along with four bodies of hostages if Israel agreed to commence immediate talks on the implementation of the second phase of the agreement. Israel accused Hamas of conducting “psychological warfare” against the families of hostages.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that negotiators had been directed to prepare to continue discussions based on the mediators’ response to a US proposal involving the release of 11 out of the 59 living hostages still held and half of the deceased captives.
The most recent conflict in Gaza erupted following a cross-border raid by Hamas into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Israeli actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza health officials, displacing the majority of the population and leaving much of the territory in ruins.
