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An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, including three local journalists, according to the territory’s health ministry.
The strike targeted a vehicle, resulting in casualties both inside and outside the car, with several individuals critically injured, officials in the Gaza Strip reported.
Among the deceased were six volunteers from the Al Khair Foundation, who were allegedly killed while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to the northern town of Beit Lahia, the UK-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Claims.
The journalists killed were identified as Mahmoud al Sarraj, Mahmoud Isleem, and Bilal Abu Matar, who were documenting relief efforts for the war-affected population inGaza, the foundation stated.
The other victims were named as Bilal Akeela, Mohammad al Ghafir, and Hazem Gharib.
The foundation stated: “The initial strike injured one team member, prompting them to move away. However, a drone followed them and struck their vehicle directly with a second strike, killing all aboard.”
Israeli military authorities claimed responsibility for the incident, stating that they targeted two individuals identified as “terrorists” operating a drone threatening their forces in Beit Lahiya.
The military further stated that they struck additional individuals who they claimed had retrieved the drone equipment and entered a vehicle.
However, Salama Marouf, the head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, disputed these claims, asserting that the team consisted of civilians performing charity work in a non-restricted area, posing no threat to military forces.
Gaza Ceasefire F Fragile
This incident highlights the tenuous nature of the ceasefire agreement of January 19th, which suspended large-scale combat in the Gaza Strip, yet has seen dozens of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces despite the truce.
The airstrike coincides with Hamas’s exiled Gaza chief, Khalil al Hayya’s visit to Cairo for further negotiations aimed at resolving disputes with Israel.
Hamas accuses Israel of attempting to sabotage the ceasefire agreement, with the number of Palestinians killed since January now standing at 150, as per their claims.
Hamas urges mediators to press Israel to advance the phased ceasefire deal’s implementation, attributing the current stalemate to Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Future of the Ceasefire Deal
The initial phase of the ceasefire, whereby Hamas freed numerous Israeli hostages in exchange for about 1,500 Palestinian prisoners’ release from Israeli jails, expired on March 2nd.
Netanyahu seeks to extend the first phase, an idea supported by US emissary Steve Witkoff;
Hamas, however, will only resume releasing hostages under the second phase.
Israel has refused to initiate the second round of discussions, which would involve them negotiating for a permanent end to the war, the primary demand of Hamas.
The conflict erupted when Hamas militants executed a raid across the border into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
In response, Israel initiated an air and ground campaign in Gaza, leading to over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by the Gaza health authorities. The Gaza health
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/nine-palestinians-killed-including-three-journalists-in-israeli-airstrike-gaza-health-ministry-says-13329524
