Deadly Clashes and Israeli Strikes Claim Lives in Central Gaza Amid Fragile Ceasefire
At least 10 Palestinians have been killed in renewed violence in Gaza, following Israeli air strikes and clashes between Hamas and an Israel-backed Palestinian militia, according to local sources.
The violence reportedly unfolded east of the Maghazi refugee camp, where militia forces set up a checkpoint and came under attack from Hamas security personnel. The confrontation escalated into armed clashes, prompting Israeli drone strikes targeting Hamas positions.
Medical officials at Al-Aqsa Hospital confirmed that at least 10 bodies were brought in from the area, with dozens more injured, some critically. It remains unclear how many casualties resulted from air strikes versus ground fighting.
Neither the Israeli military nor Hamas issued immediate official statements regarding the incident.
Escalation Amid Fragile Ceasefire
The latest violence comes amid ongoing tensions despite a ceasefire agreed nearly six months ago. Both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violations.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce, while Israel reports casualties among its soldiers in attacks by Palestinian groups.
Peace Efforts Face Obstacles
The issue of disarmament remains a major obstacle in advancing peace efforts linked to a proposal backed by Donald Trump.
A Hamas delegation recently held talks in Cairo with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye. However, Hamas’s military wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida rejected calls for disarmament, stating that the group would not relinquish weapons before Israel fulfills its commitments.
The ongoing developments highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
