Health officials in Gaza reported that seven Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike Saturday, including two women, as diplomatic efforts to strengthen a fragile ceasefire resumed in Cairo.
Medical personnel said the strike hit a large tent camp in central Gaza City, killing seven and injuring 15 others, including children.
A military spokesperson for Israel confirmed to Reuters that forces conducted an operation against “terrorists” but declined to provide additional information.
The attack happened while negotiators launched fresh discussions in Cairo with Hamas and other Palestinian groups about reinforcing a troubled ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement has not prevented continued Israeli military operations and has left Israel controlling more than half of the territory following the conflict that started when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel in October 2023.
Negotiations over the second stage of the agreement, which would include disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces, have reached an impasse.
Egypt started hosting renewed ceasefire discussions Saturday with Hamas leadership and other Palestinian faction representatives, with talks expected to continue for several days, according to Hamas and sources familiar with the negotiations.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, said the discussions would concentrate on how Israel implements the first stage and finding agreement on moving forward to the second stage.
Hamas communicated to mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and representatives from Trump’s Board of Peace that stopping Israeli military actions in Gaza remains crucial for any advancement, according to group sources and officials involved in the talks.
Hamas is demanding Israel cease its attacks, permit increased humanitarian aid into Gaza and pull back to ceasefire boundaries.
Gaza health officials report approximately 950 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the truce took effect. Hamas typically does not release detailed information about casualties among its fighters.
Israeli military officials state that four Israeli soldiers have died from militant attacks during the same timeframe.
Israel maintains its strikes target imminent threats and that it permits aid and supplies to enter Gaza.
Gaza health authorities report nearly 73,000 people in Gaza have died since fighting began, with most being civilians.
Israel reports that militants led by Hamas killed 1,200 people and captured 251 Israeli and foreign hostages during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
