Israeli Strike Kills Five People in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with health officials stating the victims confronted an anti-Hamas militia at a refugee camp in central Gaza. Medics and residents reported that an Israeli drone fired a missile at individuals who emerged from their homes as an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia attempted to storm an area east of the Maghazi camp.

Several people were injured in addition to the fatalities, according to Reuters. The Israeli military, engaged in conflict with Hamas since October 2023, has not yet provided an immediate comment. Incursions by Israeli-backed armed groups, which Hamas labels "Israeli collaborators," have intensified in recent weeks. Leaders of these groups, operating in Israeli-controlled areas, assert their goal is to overthrow Hamas rule.

A ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump in October has not stopped Israeli attacks in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked in indirect negotiations concerning the second phase of the deal, which involves Hamas's disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals. The truce left Israel controlling over half of Gaza, with Hamas governing a small coastal territory. Gaza health officials report approximately 900 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the truce began, with figures not distinguishing between combatants and civilians. The Israeli military states four soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period.