Israeli Airstrike Kills Four Palestinians in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks and Humanitarian Concerns

Israeli Airstrike Kills Four Palestinians in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike killed four Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, according to the territory's civil emergency service. This comes as Arab mediators and the United States attempt to resolve differences between Hamas and Israel regarding the January 19 ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli military stated that its air force targeted "terrorists engaged in suspicious activity on the ground in central Gaza, posing a threat to the force."

Ceasefire Talks and Disputes

An Israeli delegation traveled to Doha, Qatar, for further ceasefire discussions, while Hamas leaders concluded talks in Cairo earlier this week. However, no significant progress has been made in resolving the disputes that threaten a return to armed conflict.

The first phase of the truce, implemented on January 19, has halted fighting in Gaza. Hamas has released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Hamas seeks to initiate discussions on a second phase, aiming to reach an agreement on Israel's complete withdrawal from the enclave. Israel, however, demands the release of remaining hostages before commencing phase two negotiations.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

On Tuesday, Hamas accused Israel of attempting to induce famine in Gaza by continuing to suspend aid entry and severing the enclave's last functioning electricity line, impacting water desalination and sewage treatment facilities.

"We urge mediators to pressure the occupation to fulfill its pledges and immediately open the crossings, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid and ending the policy of collective punishment pursued by the occupation authorities against our people," Hamas stated.

Israel halted aid flows of food, medicine, and fuel imports earlier this month, claiming it was intended to pressure Hamas during ceasefire talks. On Sunday, it announced an electricity cut, which aid groups warn would deprive Gazans of clean water.

The head of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA) in Gaza warned on Monday that Gaza risks experiencing another hunger crisis if Israel continues to block aid, emphasizing the rapidly deteriorating situation.

"The more we go ahead (with aid blockages), the more we will see the impact increasing on the population. And obviously, the risk … is that we go back to the situation we experienced months ago about deepening hunger in the Gaza Strip," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

Background of the Conflict

The Islamist militant group Hamas carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting an Israeli offensive into the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza health officials, the offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians.

Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.