Gaza strikes kill six as Hamas health ministry says war toll surpasses 73,000

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least six Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, health officials reported, as mediators worked to salvage a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. An Israeli airstrike killed four people near Al-Yeman Al-Saeed Hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp, while two others died in separate shooting incidents in Khan Younis and Gaza City.

The Israeli military stated that strikes targeted "terrorists" in the area. These incidents occurred as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey concluded week-long talks with Hamas and other Palestinian factions regarding the second phase of a Gaza plan that includes Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing its forces. A truce brokered in October 2025 has not fully halted Israeli attacks or secured Hamas's disarmament, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

The Hamas-run health ministry stated that Israeli strikes have killed over 950 Palestinians since the truce began, with Palestinian factions claiming Israel's refusal to fulfill first-phase obligations is hindering a full agreement. Israel maintains its strikes aim to thwart imminent attacks. Hamas and other factions submitted a written response to mediators and Trump’s Board of Peace, reportedly agreeing to 14 out of 15 points, with disarmament remaining a key point of contention. Hamas links disarmament to a political path toward a Palestinian state, while Israel insists on Hamas disarming and ceding power.

The Hamas-run health ministry announced Sunday that the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has reached 73,001, with over 173,200 wounded since the conflict began.

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The strikes had targeted “terrorists” in the area