Key facts
- Israeli drone strikes killed two Palestinians in Gaza City and Khan Younis on Wednesday evening.
- One person was killed and several wounded in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood.
- Another person was killed and several injured in the al-Mawasi area of western Khan Younis.
- The Israeli military stated it killed a fighter who crossed into its territory in northern Gaza.
- The total Palestinian death toll in Gaza since a ceasefire began is reported as 614, with 1,640 wounded.
Israeli drone strikes killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza City and Khan Younis on Wednesday evening, according to Wafa news agency. Medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital reported that a drone strike in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood killed one civilian and wounded several others. In western Khan Younis, another drone strike in the al-Mawasi area killed one civilian and injured several, with sources from Nasser Hospital confirming the casualties.
These attacks occurred on the third day of Ramadan. The Israeli military acknowledged one incident, stating its forces killed a fighter who had crossed into Israeli territory in northern Gaza and posed an immediate threat. The cumulative death toll in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect over four months ago has reportedly risen to 614, with 1,640 Palestinians wounded.
Separately, on Thursday, an Israeli strike east of Gaza City killed at least two Palestinians, identified by relatives as members of Hamas, and wounded five others, according to Al-Ahli Hospital director Fadel Naeem. The Israeli military also stated that soldiers in southern Gaza killed a Palestinian described as a militant who had crossed the dividing line and posed a threat to troops.
In related news, Israel launched strikes in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley targeting Hezbollah compounds, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old Syrian boy and wounding 29 others. A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists indicated that the Gaza war accounted for two-thirds of journalists killed globally last year, with at least 129 media workers killed.
Discussions surrounding a potential peace plan for Gaza have been ongoing, with U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace holding its first meeting. Nine countries committed $7 billion for reconstruction, supplemented by a $10 billion U.S. contribution, though this falls short of the estimated $70 billion needed. Five countries pledged troops for an International Stabilization Force. However, significant hurdles remain, including Israel's insistence on Hamas disarmament before reconstruction begins and Hamas's rejection of this ultimatum.