Gaza conflict: Four Palestinians killed as ceasefire talks continue

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Monday, as mediators prepared for further ceasefire talks in Cairo aimed at solidifying a U.S.-brokered peace plan. The violence occurred as Hamas and other Palestinian factions delivered their response to a 15-point blueprint, agreeing to all points except Hamas disarmament, which the group links to Israeli withdrawal and a political track for Palestinian statehood.

Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are involved in the discussions. Hamas has stressed the need for Israel to fully and unconditionally comply with the ceasefire agreement. Israel, however, insists that Hamas must disarm and cede power in Gaza. Since the current ceasefire began, Israeli strikes have resulted in over 990 deaths, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in the same period.

The overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 73,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. This figure comes amid continued Israeli attacks and over 3,269 recorded ceasefire violations since a fragile truce began. Aid delivery remains significantly below agreed-upon levels, and restrictions on crossings have led to the deaths of patients needing medical referrals.