Israeli military strikes have killed at least 15 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s health ministry. The deaths occurred despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that was established on January 19.
The ceasefire has been under threat since its inception, with persistent bloodshed highlighting its fragility. Arab and US mediators are working to shore up the agreement, while Israel wants to extend the first phase of the truce.
Israel’s military claims that its forces have intervened to thwart threats by “terrorists” approaching their troops or planting bombs. However, Palestinian officials say dozens of people have been killed by Israeli fire despite the ceasefire.
The latest deaths occurred in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday that killed nine Palestinians, including four journalists, in the town of Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military said six men were killed in the strike, but Hamas officials disputed this figure, claiming some militants’ names were included in the statement without verifying their presence.
Israel wants to extend the ceasefire’s first phase, a proposal backed by US envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Hamas says it will resume freeing hostages only under the second phase of the agreement.
Ceasefire talks are ongoing, with negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed negotiators to be ready to continue talks based on a US proposal for the release of 11 living hostages and half of the dead captives.
Hamas has agreed to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and four bodies of the hostages if Israel agrees to begin talks immediately on implementing the second phase. However, Israel accused Hamas of waging “psychological warfare” on the families of hostages.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-kill-14-people-gaza-over-past-day-palestinian-medics-say-2025-03-16