GAZA CITY: At least nine Palestinians, including two local journalists and humanitarian workers, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, on Saturday, Gaza’s health ministry said.
The attack comes as Hamas leaders engage in ceasefire negotiations with mediators in Cairo.
Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence, said that the Israeli strike targeted a vehicle with a drone, coinciding with artillery shelling in the area.
“Nine martyrs have been transferred [to hospital], including several journalists and a number of workers from the Al-Khair Charitable Organisation,” he said as quoted by AFP. Several others sustained critical injuries.
Witnesses and Palestinian media reported that those in the car were on a mission for the Al-Khair Foundation, a humanitarian charity, and were accompanied by journalists when the airstrike occurred.
At least three journalists were among the casualties, according to Palestinian media outlets.
The Israeli military, in a statement, said that it had struck “two terrorists” operating a drone that allegedly posed a threat to Israeli forces in Beit Lahiya.
The military later said it targeted additional individuals who had retrieved the drone equipment and entered a vehicle.
However, it did not provide further details on how it determined the individuals were combatants or the specific threat the drone posed.
Following the strike, Hamas condemned the attack as a violation of the ongoing ceasefire.
“The occupation [Israel] has committed a horrific massacre in the northern Gaza Strip by targeting a group of journalists and humanitarian workers, in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.
The incident has heightened concerns over the fragility of the ceasefire, initially brokered on 19 January.
Palestinian health officials report that since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 150 Palestinian fatalities.
Hamas has accused Israel of stalling the second phase of the ceasefire process, which aims to transition towards a permanent cessation of hostilities.
“Israel is attempting to renege on the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas stated, urging mediators to push Israel to fulfil its commitments.
The attack occurred as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya travelled to Cairo for further ceasefire discussions.
The negotiations have stalled, with Israel reportedly refusing to advance talks on a permanent ceasefire, a key demand of Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced on Friday that it had offered to release an Israeli-American dual national if Israel proceeded with the next phase of ceasefire talks.
The proposal concerned 21-year-old Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a native of New Jersey. However, Israel dismissed the offer as “psychological warfare.”
Since 7 October 2023, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign on Gaza, which has so far killed more than 48,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The campaign has led to widespread destruction, with much of the territory reduced to rubble. Israel has faced accusations of war crimes and genocide, charges it strongly denies.
Despite the ceasefire technically remaining in place, near-daily Israeli airstrikes have continued in Gaza.
