Israeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip yesterday including five in a refugee camp and two in a car, health officials said.
Medics and residents said an Israeli drone fired a missile at people who came out of their homes when an Israeli-backed militia tried to storm an area east of Maghazi camp. As well as at least five fatalities, several people were injured.
Asked for comment on the incident around Maghazi camp, the military said troops identified what it described as ‘armed terrorists” near its armistice line with Hamas, and that they carried out a strike to remove the threat.
Incursions by Israeli-backed armed gangs, whom Hamas brands “Israeli collaborators”, have escalated in past weeks.
Leaders of those groups, who operate in areas under Israeli control, say they aim to topple Hamas rule.
Later in the day, an Israeli air strike struck a vehicle in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, killing two people and wounding several others, medics said.
The Israeli military told Reuters it was a ‘targeted strike’ and provided no further details.
An October ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, has failed to halt Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas are deadlocked in indirect talks over implementing the second phase of the deal, which includes the group’s disarmament and Israeli army withdrawals.
The ceasefire left Israel in control of more than half of Gaza.
About 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce came into effect. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed.
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