Three Palestinians Killed in Gaza Strikes Despite Ceasefire

Israeli forces conducted two separate airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian men according to local health officials. The deadly incidents occurred despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has been in place for over five months.

Three Palestinian men lost their lives Saturday when Israeli forces carried out dual airstrikes across Gaza, according to local health authorities and medical personnel, marking another escalation in ongoing hostilities despite a U.S.-mediated truce now spanning more than five months.

Health officials in Palestine reported that one individual died when an airstrike targeted a vehicle in the Khan Younis region of southern Gaza, while medical sources confirmed two adult brothers perished in Shujiaya, a district located east of Gaza City.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding these two aerial attacks.

According to local health authorities, Israeli forces have been responsible for over 680 Palestinian deaths in Gaza following the November ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The total death toll has exceeded 72,000 since hostilities began in October 2023.

Israel currently maintains military operations on multiple fronts, including a joint campaign with the United States against Iran and a fresh offensive against Hezbollah that has led to Israeli ground forces entering southern Lebanon.

The Hamas-linked Shehab News Agency reported that the two brothers died in an Israeli military airstrike following an attempted kidnapping by an Israeli-supported Palestinian militia operating in Gaza.

Hamas and other militant organizations have not claimed the brothers as affiliated members.

Reuters spoke with witnesses who described the two brothers as armed individuals who engaged in combat with the militia before becoming targets of drone strikes. These same witnesses also reported tank fire from Israeli forces.

Ongoing violence continues to plague Gaza even with the ceasefire in effect and amid Israel’s broader conflict with Iran. Territory health officials report that Israeli forces have killed at least 40 Palestinians since the Iranian conflict commenced one month ago.