Ten killed in Israeli strikes and clashes between Hamas and militia in Gaza, local sources say
Ten Killed in Israeli Strikes and Gaza Clashes, Local Sources Report
Local reports indicate that Israeli air strikes and confrontations between Hamas and a pro-Israel militia in central Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 Palestinians. The attacks reportedly aimed at Hamas security forces involved in skirmishes with the militia located east of the Maghazi refugee camp. However, the exact toll from the strikes or the ground clashes remains uncertain.
Casualty Report
A representative from al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah noted that ten bodies were transported to the facility, with multiple others sustaining injuries. Some of the wounded are said to be in critical condition, though no immediate details on the total number of casualties have been confirmed.
Sequence of Events
Witnesses claimed that pro-Israel fighters established a checkpoint east of Maghazi, which was then attacked by Hamas security personnel, sparking the conflict. According to the same accounts, Israeli drones were deployed to assist the militia, conducting strikes against Hamas members in three distinct locations.
Ceasefire Accusations
Both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement they reached nearly six months prior. The Hamas-administered health ministry reported that at least 723 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli assaults since the ceasefire began. The Israeli military stated that five of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian factions during the same timeframe.
Disarmament Debate
Disarmament has emerged as a critical obstacle in advancing the second phase of Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative. Last week, a Hamas delegation engaged with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators in Cairo to present their preliminary reaction to the US-led peace plan proposal. On Sunday, the spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing rejected any talk of disarmament before Israel fulfilled its commitments under the first phase of Trump’s plan.
“We will not accept discussing weapons in this manner,” said Abu Ubaida, whose namesake was killed in an Israeli strike last year. He added: “What the enemy failed to take from us by tanks and destruction, it will not take from us through politics or at the negotiating table.”
Broader Conflict Context
Abu Ubaida further connected Hamas’s actions in Gaza to the larger conflict between Israel and the US, as well as Iran and its allies. He praised the missile, drone, and rocket strikes by Iranian forces and their allies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, calling them an “extension” of Hamas’s offensive initiated on 7 October 2023.
The conflict in Gaza was ignited by the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Israel responded by launching a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which more than 72,300 people have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry.
