Six Killed in Gaza as Israeli Drone Strikes Resume Amid Ceasefire
Gaza's civil defence agency and health officials reported that Israeli attacks killed six people across the Palestinian territory on Thursday. The deaths occurred despite a ceasefire that remains in place in the Israel-Hamas war, though progress towards a final deal has stalled.
The civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas, said six people were killed in Israeli drone strikes and gunfire. An Israeli drone struck central Gaza's Nuseirat camp, killing two people and injuring several others. Four more people were killed in separate attacks, the agency said.
Gaza hospitals confirmed receiving the bodies of the six individuals. A security source in Gaza said an Israeli drone strike targeted the vehicle of Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for Hamas. Qassem was not in the vehicle, but his bodyguard was killed in the strike. The bodyguard was among the six fatalities.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the attacks.
Since the ceasefire took effect in October last year, at least 1,092 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations. The Israeli military reports losing five soldiers and one civilian contractor in Gaza over the same period.
Restrictions imposed on media outlets and limited access in Gaza prevent AFP from independently verifying tolls or freely covering the violence there.
