Israel Releases Detained Palestinian Woman Footballer

Israeli airstrikes killed six Palestinians, including a child, in the Gaza Strip on Monday, health officials reported, as residents observed the military expanding areas under its control. These reports emerged as mediators in Cairo intensified efforts to revive a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, which has halted major fighting but left key points unresolved.

Medics confirmed two deaths from an Israeli strike near a tent encampment in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. In the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, three Palestinians, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed and others injured by an Israeli airstrike near a well-digging site. Later, an Israeli strike near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza killed one person and wounded three others, bringing Monday's death toll to six. The Israeli military had not immediately commented on these reports or the alleged expansion of the "Yellow Zone" under its control.

Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce. Health officials state that Israeli strikes have killed over 950 people since the truce began, while Israel reports four soldiers killed by fighters during the same period. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday his directive for the military to expand its hold on Gaza, aiming to control 70% of the enclave. "We are not allowing them to arm themselves or harm us, and we are also eliminating their senior commanders," he stated.

Witnesses in southern Gaza reported seeing Israeli tanks closer to their tents in recent days, as forces expanded the "Yellow Zone" in eastern Khan Younis and northern Rafah, placing new markers and concrete blocks. Meanwhile, three days into a new round of ceasefire talks in Cairo, Hamas and other Palestinian groups have told mediators that Israel must cease attacks to allow for discussions on the second phase of a deal. They are also demanding increased aid flow and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to their original positions from the October ceasefire lines. A Hamas official told Reuters on Monday that Israel had thus far refused to make commitments.

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We are not allowing them to arm themselves or harm us, and we are also eliminating their senior commanders