CAIRO, January 26 — Israeli fire killed three Palestinians in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the territory’s health ministry, as U.S. envoys continued diplomatic efforts to solidify a ceasefire deal.
Medics reported that Israeli forces killed at least two people east of the Tuffah neighborhood in northern Gaza. In a separate incident in the southern city of Khan Younis, a 41-year-old man was also killed by Israeli fire, the ministry said.
Earlier Sunday, medical workers said an Israeli drone strike on a building in Gaza City wounded four civilians in the street below. An Israeli military spokesperson said they were not aware of an incident in Khan Younis involving a fatal shooting and had no immediate comment on the reported shootings in Tuffah.
US Diplomacy Continues
The reported violence occurred as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. The meeting focused on Gaza, according to Witkoff.
“The discussion was constructive and positive, with both sides aligned on next steps and the importance of continued cooperation on all matters critical to the region,” Witkoff said in a statement on social media.
Fragile Truce and Mounting Toll
The incidents underscore the fragility of the ceasefire that took effect last October. The Gaza health ministry says over 71,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the war began with the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The ministry also states that at least 480 people have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began.
Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza during the same period. Both sides have repeatedly accused the other of violating the truce terms.
Washington has stated the peace plan has entered a second phase, which involves a further Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas relinquishing administrative control of the territory.
Funeral and Anger in Khan Younis
In Khan Younis, more than 100 people attended the funeral on Sunday for a man killed by an Israeli drone strike the previous day.
“They are liars, there is no ceasefire,” said Fares Erheimat, a relative of the deceased, during the funeral service held at Nasser Hospital.
This is a developing story. Updates may follow.
