At least 13 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza after Hamas agree disarmament deal

What Happened

Israeli military aircraft conducted strikes across Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir el-Balah, resulting in at least 13 deaths, according to the Gaza Civil Defence Authority. Palestinian health officials reported that casualties included a family of three in Khan Younis and two individuals in Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the operations targeted military operatives, specifically claiming the deaths of two Hamas commanders from the Nukbha force and Maghazi Battalion, as well as a militant from the Jabalia Battalion. These strikes occurred despite reports that Hamas had accepted a disarmament plan overseen by the United States-backed Board of Peace.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The continuation of kinetic military operations despite the reported acceptance of a US-brokered disarmament roadmap highlights a significant disconnect between diplomatic efforts and the operational reality on the ground. The rejection of the plan by key Israeli cabinet members and the ongoing destruction of infrastructure underscore the fragility of the ceasefire framework and the lack of consensus regarding the future governance and security architecture of the Gaza Strip.

Watch For

Monitor the potential deployment of the Palestinian National Committee into Gaza and any further formal responses from the Israeli cabinet regarding the 20-point peace plan. Additionally, observe whether the Board of Peace initiates the inventory and storage of heavy weapons as outlined in the 15-point roadmap, and if the IDF continues its strikes despite the ongoing diplomatic negotiations.