Israeli Airstrike Kills Five Palestinians in Gaza Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks
CAIRO: An Israeli airstrike on Monday claimed the lives of three Palestinian men in Gaza who were reportedly gathering firewood, according to local medics. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and fragility of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with no visible progress in recent negotiations to sustain the truce.
The three victims, all members of the same family, had ventured out from their homes in central Gaza to collect wood for cooking—a routine task for many Gazans amid Israel’s ongoing blockade. For over two weeks, Israel has restricted the entry of essential supplies, including fuel, food, and medical goods, into Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, residents said.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted “terrorists” operating near their forces and allegedly attempting to plant an explosive device.
Later on Monday, another Israeli airstrike killed a father and his son inside a school sheltering displaced families in Bureij camp, close to the site of the earlier attack. This brought the day’s death toll to five. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted two individuals attempting to plant a bomb near areas where their forces were stationed.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, condemned Israel’s actions, warning that such “violations” could “undermine all efforts for de-escalation.” He reported that 150 Palestinians have been killed since the January ceasefire. Israel, however, maintains that its operations are aimed at preventing threats to its forces, including bomb-planting attempts by Palestinians.
Israel’s 16-day suspension of goods entering Gaza has intensified the suffering of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are already displaced due to the war. The blockade, which Israel says is intended to pressure Hamas in ceasefire negotiations, has halted the import of food, medicine, and fuel, further straining Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure.
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The suspension of essential supplies has led to the closure of several bakeries and a sharp rise in food prices. Additionally, the lack of electricity threatens access to clean water for many residents. Israel has expressed its desire to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, a proposal supported by US envoy Steve Witkoff. The truce was initially brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Hamas, however, has stated that it will only resume releasing hostages under the second phase of the ceasefire, which was originally scheduled to begin on March 2. Successive rounds of talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, have yet to yield a breakthrough.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua accused Israel of attempting to “foil the agreement and impose new conditions,” despite Hamas’s compliance with the truce terms. The ongoing stalemate and violence underscore the challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.
