Israeli Strikes Kill Civilians in Gaza as Mediators Intensify Ceasefire Efforts

CAIRO: Israeli airstrikes killed at least three Palestinians, including two children, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, as renewed diplomatic efforts gathered momentum to secure a broader ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to health officials and mediators.

The fatalities were reported in separate strikes across Gaza, with Palestinian health authorities stating that the victims included two children. The Israeli military said the operations targeted Hamas militants, maintaining that its actions were directed against armed groups operating in the enclave.

The latest violence came as mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States continued negotiations in Cairo aimed at advancing a proposed ceasefire and post-conflict framework for Gaza. The talks have reportedly shown signs of progress, although significant differences remain over the sequencing of Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a framework had been reached for the phased disarmament of Hamas as part of a wider peace initiative. However, Hamas described the proposal as a draft requiring further negotiations, while Israeli officials indicated that key concerns remained unresolved, leaving the plan’s implementation uncertain.

According to Gaza health officials, more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect earlier this year, despite the truce, while Israeli authorities report that several Israeli soldiers have also been killed in attacks during the same period. The continuing exchanges underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the challenges facing ongoing diplomatic efforts.

International mediators have urged both sides to exercise restraint and build on the current negotiations to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, improve humanitarian access, and create conditions for a lasting political settlement in the region.