GAZA: The Israeli military killed three Palestinian men in Gaza on Saturday in two separate air strikes, according to local health officials and medics, marking the latest escalation of violence despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has now held for more than five months.
Palestinian authorities reported that one man was killed when an air strike targeted a car in the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza. Medics said that two adult brothers were killed in Shujiaya, a neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Context of Violence
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the strikes. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 680 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire with Hamas went into effect in November, while over 72,000 have died since the war began in October 2023.
Amid the continuing Gaza hostilities, Israel is also conducting military operations alongside the United States against Iran and has launched a campaign against Hezbollah, including incursions into southern Lebanon.
Circumstances Surrounding Shujiaya Air Strike
The Hamas-affiliated Shehab News Agency reported that the two brothers in Shujiaya were targeted after an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia attempted to abduct them. Witnesses said the brothers, who were armed, clashed with the militia and were subsequently struck by drones. Witnesses also reported Israeli tanks opening fire in the area.
Neither Hamas nor other militant groups identified the brothers as members.
Escalating Violence Amid Ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire, violence in Gaza has persisted. Health officials report that at least 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of Israel’s conflict with Iran a month ago.
The ongoing clashes underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the complex regional dynamics, as Gaza remains entangled in broader conflicts involving Israel, the U.S., Iran, and Hezbollah.
