Three Palestinians Dead as Gaza Ceasefire Continues to Face Violations

Three Palestinians were killed Thursday in separate incidents involving Israeli forces in Gaza, according to health officials and military reports. The deaths occurred as the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faces ongoing challenges with violations reported by both sides.

CAIRO – Three Palestinians died Thursday in separate incidents involving Israeli military action in Gaza, highlighting continued tensions despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Health officials in Gaza report that two Palestinians were killed and several others injured when an Israeli airstrike targeted a group in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. Israeli military officials have not yet provided comment regarding this northern Gaza incident.

In a separate event in southern Gaza, Israeli forces killed what they described as a militant who had entered an Israeli-controlled zone within the territory and presented an immediate danger to their troops, according to military statements.

Israeli officials characterized this southern incident as a breach of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire that took effect in October, following negotiations between the warring parties.

The current conflict began after Hamas launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths according to Israeli records. The subsequent war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and left the territory in ruins.

Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israeli military actions have resulted in over 72,000 deaths, predominantly civilians, since the conflict began. Officials also state that at least 460 people have died from Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect last October.

Israeli authorities report four of their soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza since the truce began. Each side continues to accuse the other of ceasefire violations.

The Gaza agreement entered its second phase in January, which calls for Israel to pull back additional troops from the territory while Hamas transfers administrative control of Gaza.