Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in strikes on Gaza during Ramadan | Gaza News
Israeli Air Strikes Claim Lives in Gaza, Death Toll Rises to 614
Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza, marking a significant escalation in violence just days into the holy month of Ramadan. This latest attack violates the truce established with Hamas over four months ago.
The strikes occurred in the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza and the Qizan an-Najjar area in the south. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the total death toll from Israeli attacks since the truce began has now reached 614, with an additional 1,640 Palestinians reported injured.
The Israeli military acknowledged one of the strikes, stating on X that it targeted a fighter who crossed into Israel from Gaza and posed an immediate threat to its troops. The military emphasized its commitment to neutralize any imminent dangers.
This surge in violence follows the first meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” which addressed rebuilding efforts and security in Gaza. At the meeting, Trump announced that nine countries had pledged $7 billion for reconstruction efforts, on top of a $10 billion contribution from the United States. However, experts estimate that at least $70 billion is needed to restore the war-torn area.
Five nations also expressed willingness to contribute troops to a proposed 20,000-strong International Stabilization Force (ISF), intended to assume security responsibilities from Hamas. Nevertheless, a key point of contention remains the disarmament of Hamas, a condition that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists must be met before reconstruction can commence.
Netanyahu’s aides conveyed plans for a potential 60-day deadline for Hamas to disarm, a proposal that the group has rejected. Hamas maintains that it will not relinquish its weapons while Israeli occupation continues, insisting that any political discussions must include a complete cessation of hostilities.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem indicated that the group could consider a peacekeeping force, provided it focuses on monitoring the ceasefire and does not interfere in Gaza’s internal affairs.
Alongside disarmament, Trump’s plan envisions a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, transition oversight by a technocratic Palestinian committee, and deployment of the ISF. However, many Palestinians remain skeptical of the plan’s feasibility, citing ongoing Israeli attacks and shortages of aid as significant barriers to peace.
Awad al-Ghoul, a 70-year-old Palestinian displaced from Tal as-Sultan in Rafah, characterized the current situation as hopeless. “Israel kills, bombs, and violates the ceasefire agreement daily,” he said. “This project is a failure from the start and unclear in vision.”
