Israeli strikes and gunfire kill four in Gaza, medics say
Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least four people in separate incidents on Thursday, health officials in the enclave said. The deaths add to a mounting toll under a US-brokered ceasefire that both sides accuse the other of violating.
In Gaza City, a strike on a car killed at least one person, medics said. They had earlier reported two deaths from that strike. A crowd gathered around the burning wreckage as emergency crews in orange vests sprayed it with water, photos from the scene showed.
Separate incidents across the Strip
Other strikes killed a Palestinian man riding a bicycle in the southern city of Khan Younis and a man near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Gunfire killed a woman near the Jabalia refugee camp in the north, the medics added.
Israel’s military said it had struck Hamas militants in Khan Younis, Nuseirat and Gaza City. It said it was not aware of the reported incident in Jabalia.
The Hamas-led Interior Ministry in Gaza said an Israeli airstrike killed a non-commissioned officer and wounded another officer from the drug control police department. Their vehicle was hit while they were returning from an assignment in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood.
Israeli strikes in Gaza: a ceasefire under strain
Israel says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the year-old ceasefire. It has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas denies trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal, and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.
The US-brokered ceasefire calls for the eventual reconstruction of the territory. But little progress has been made. Negotiators have failed to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its troops.
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s health officials. Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed in the same period.
The wider toll
Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza. The assault began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
International pressure for a lasting settlement continues to build. The International Criminal Court’s recent Sakharov Prize win has kept global attention on accountability for the conflict, even as the court faces US sanctions over its investigations.
Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza. Islamabad has backed international efforts toward a two-state solution and condemned attacks on civilians. The latest deaths will likely feature in Pakistan’s statements at multilateral forums, where the country has been vocal on Palestinian rights.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in Gaza on Thursday?
Health officials said at least four people were killed in separate Israeli strikes and gunfire incidents across the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, Nuseirat and Jabalia.
What did Israel’s military say?
It said it struck Hamas militants in Khan Younis, Nuseirat and Gaza City, but that it was not aware of the reported shooting incident in Jabalia.
How many have died since the ceasefire?
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the US-brokered ceasefire, according to health officials in the territory. Israel says four of its soldiers died in the same period.
What is the status of the ceasefire?
The year-old deal is holding only nominally. Both sides accuse the other of violations, and talks on Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal have stalled.
Sources: Reuters, The News, Al Jazeera
