CAIRO (Web Desk) – Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip continued on Wednesday, with Palestinian health officials reporting that an airstrike killed three members of the same family as international efforts to advance a ceasefire agreement remained at an impasse.
Medical officials in Gaza said the strike targeted an apartment building in Deir Al-Balah, in the central part of the territory, killing Omar Abu Qassem, his wife Asma and their six-year-old daughter Habeeba. Their young son survived the attack but sustained injuries and was taken for medical treatment.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hamas militant operating in the area. Palestinian authorities, however, reported that members of the same civilian family were among those killed. The circumstances surrounding the strike could not be independently verified.
In a separate incident, medics reported that another Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City killed one person. Israeli authorities did not immediately comment on that operation.
The latest casualties came as hostilities persisted despite an October ceasefire that significantly reduced large-scale fighting between Israel and Hamas. While the truce has limited broader military operations, both sides have continued to report security incidents, including Israeli airstrikes and attacks targeting Israeli forces.
Palestinian health officials say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military actions since the ceasefire came into effect. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have reported that four Israeli soldiers have been killed in attacks carried out by militants during the same period.
The renewed violence coincides with another round of negotiations aimed at advancing the second phase of a ceasefire framework. Representatives of Hamas concluded talks in Cairo following discussions mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with support from other international partners seeking to preserve the fragile truce.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, discussions focused on several key issues, including the future governance of Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the territory, and security arrangements intended to prevent renewed conflict. However, officials indicated that little progress had been achieved because of continuing disagreements and deep mistrust between the two sides.
Among the proposals under discussion are plans for the gradual transfer of administrative responsibilities in Gaza to an independent Palestinian technocratic body, alongside broader reconstruction efforts following extensive destruction caused by months of conflict.
International discussions have also examined the possible deployment of a multinational stabilization force to assist with maintaining security if a broader political agreement is reached. Several countries have expressed willingness to contribute personnel, although no deployment has taken place as negotiations remain unresolved.
Diplomatic representatives involved in mediation efforts continue to stress the importance of maintaining the ceasefire while working toward a more comprehensive agreement. International officials have repeatedly warned that continued violations risk undermining negotiations and worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Hamas has maintained that progress toward a second phase of negotiations depends on the full implementation of commitments made during the initial stage of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials have argued that future arrangements must include measures addressing long-term security concerns and the activities of armed groups operating inside Gaza.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to express alarm over conditions across the territory. Large sections of Gaza remain heavily damaged, while many residents continue living in temporary shelters or partially destroyed buildings. Aid organizations say access to food, clean water, healthcare and essential services remains severely limited for much of the population.
The conflict began after Hamas-led militants carried out attacks inside Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza. Palestinian health authorities say tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict, although casualty figures released by the authorities cannot be independently verified.
As diplomatic efforts continue, international mediators are urging both sides to reduce violence, uphold existing ceasefire commitments and return to meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a durable agreement that addresses security concerns while easing the humanitarian crisis affecting civilians in Gaza.
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