Eight Palestinians killed in two Israeli strikes in Gaza

Daily life in the Gaza Strip was interrupted by violence on Sunday as two separate Israeli airstrikes killed at least eight people. Medics in the territory confirmed that three residents died in a strike on Gaza City. In a second attack in western Khan Younis, five police officers lost their lives, according to the Hamas-run interior ministry.

The Israeli military stated that its forces targeted several militants in Khan Younis. Officials provided no further details on that specific engagement and did not immediately comment on the strike in Gaza City. The attacks occur as Israel increases operations against Hamas, a group it says has been rearming and launching violations of the ceasefire that has held for one year.

Hamas rejects the assessment that it is rebuilding its arsenal or preparing new attacks. The group argues that Israel is undermining the peace deal by expanding its military footprint. The conflict was paused last year by a ceasefire brokered by the United States, which included plans for the eventual reconstruction of the enclave.

Negotiators have failed to finalize terms regarding the disarmament of Hamas or the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Currently, Israeli forces control approximately two-thirds of the territory, where they have ordered residents to vacate their homes. The remaining one-third is still under the effective control of Hamas.

More than two million residents live in that confined area amid war ruins, often sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged structures. Since the ceasefire began, territory health officials report that at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. Israel has recorded four soldier fatalities in the same period. In total, Palestinian authorities state that more than 74,000 people have died since the war began on October 7, 2023.