At least nine Palestinians, including three local journalists, were killed and others injured on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, according to the local health ministry. This attack occurred as Hamas leaders engaged in ceasefire discussions with mediators in Cairo.

The airstrike, which targeted a vehicle, left several individuals critically wounded, with casualties both inside and outside the car. Witnesses and other journalists reported that the vehicle was involved in a mission for the Al-Khair Foundation, a charity in Beit Lahiya, and was accompanied by journalists and photographers when the strike occurred. Palestinian media confirmed that at least three local journalists were among those who died.

The Israeli military issued a statement claiming it had targeted two individuals described as “terrorists” operating a drone that allegedly posed a threat to Israeli forces in the area. The military later struck additional suspects who were said to have gathered drone equipment and entered a vehicle. However, the military did not elaborate on how it determined these individuals were “terrorists” or specify the nature of the threat posed by the drone.

This attack highlights the fragility of the ceasefire agreement that had been in place since January 19, which paused large-scale fighting in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire, Palestinian health officials report that dozens have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce.

Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, rejected the Israeli military’s claims, asserting that the group targeted was composed of civilians on a charity mission near a shelter. He emphasized that they posed no threat to Israeli forces.

In another strike on Saturday, Gaza medics reported that an Israeli airstrike in Juhr Eldeek, in central Gaza, killed two Palestinians. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on this attack.

The Palestinian militant group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, stating that 150 Palestinians had been killed since the January 19 truce. They called on mediators to push Israel to implement the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, placing blame on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the ongoing deadlock.

In response to incidents reported by Gaza medics, the Israeli military stated that its forces had taken action against “terrorists” approaching Israeli positions or planting explosives near operational areas.

Since the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire on March 2, Israel has refused to proceed with the second phase, which would involve negotiations toward a permanent resolution to the conflict—a key demand of Hamas.

This development occurred alongside a visit to Cairo by Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ exiled Gaza chief, for further ceasefire talks aimed at addressing outstanding issues with Israel. Hamas also offered to release an American-Israeli dual national, Edan Alexander, if Israel agreed to begin the next phase of ceasefire negotiations. Israel dismissed this offer, labeling it “psychological warfare.”

The conflict, which began with a Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has led to over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, and caused widespread destruction, drawing accusations of war crimes and genocide, which Israel denies.