At least three Palestinians were killed Monday when the Israeli military struck west of Gaza City, according to hospital sources.
Shifa Hospital reported the deaths amid the months-old cease-fire that has seen continued fighting. The Israeli army said Monday it is striking targets in response to Israeli troops coming under fire in the southern city of Rafah, which it says was a violation of the cease-fire. The army said it is striking targets "in a precise manner."
The four-month-old U.S-backed cease-fire followed stalled negotiations and included Israel and Hamas accepting a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the genocidal war triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion. At the time, Trump said it would lead to a "Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace."
Hamas freed all the living hostages it still held at the outset of the deal in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and the remains of others.
But the larger issues the agreement sought to address, including the future governance of the strip, were met with reservations, and the U.S. offered no firm timeline.
