On Saturday, the Israeli military conducted two separate air strikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian men, local health officials and medics. This incident marks the latest escalation in violence despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States that has been in place for over five months.
One of the men was killed in an air strike targeting a vehicle in the Khan Younis area, located in southern Gaza. Meanwhile, two adult brothers lost their lives in Shujiaya, a neighborhood east of Gaza City. The Israeli military has not yet issued a response regarding these specific air strikes.
Since the ceasefire with Hamas took effect in November, the Israeli military has reportedly killed more than 680 Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities. The overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 72,000 since the war began in October 2023.
In a significant development, Israel is also engaged in a broader conflict alongside the United States against Iran, while simultaneously launching a new military campaign against Hezbollah. Israeli forces have invaded southern Lebanon as part of this campaign.
The Hamas-affiliated Shehab News Agency reported that the two brothers were killed in an Israeli air strike after an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia attempted to abduct them. Neither Hamas nor any other militant group has confirmed the brothers as members. Witnesses described a confrontation between the armed brothers and the militia, followed by drone strikes targeting them. Additionally, Israeli tanks were reported to have opened fire during the incident.
Violence in Gaza has continued despite the ceasefire, particularly amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran. Health officials in Gaza state that at least 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the conflict with Iran began about a month ago.
