At least 13 people, including several children, have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. The attacks, which were carried out by Israeli military aircraft, targeted Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir el-Balah, marking the second consecutive night of Israeli strikes on the territory. This escalation comes days after Hamas agreed to a disarmament plan, which would involve handing over its weapons to a US-led peace initiative. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes were aimed at military operatives in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of two Hamas militants.
The Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, indicated on Sunday that no agreement had been reached to halt attacks on the Gaza Strip, which is currently under 70% Israeli control. Cohen emphasized the need for the strip to be placed under full Israeli control if Hamas fails to disarm, contradicting the proposed plan for Israel to withdraw from the territory. The IDF reported that it had killed two Hamas commanders, one from the elite Nukbha force and one from the Maghazi Battalion, in addition to another Hamas militant from the Jabalia Battalion in northern Gaza. The IDF claimed that all three were planning to attack Israeli targets.
Palestinian health officials reported that two people, including a child, were killed in a strike on a residential building in Gaza City, while another person was killed near Jabalia in northern Gaza. A family of three, including a nine-year-old son, were killed in a strike on a house in Khan Younis, and a man and woman died after their apartment block was struck in Deir el-Balah. The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Palestinians since a supposed ceasefire took effect last October, highlighting the fragile nature of the peace process in the region.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with the Israeli government maintaining its stance on the need for Hamas to disarm. The US-led peace initiative, which aims to establish a framework for peace in the region, faces significant challenges in the wake of continued violence and conflicting statements from Israeli officials. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains concerned about the potential for further escalation and the humanitarian implications for the people of Gaza.
