At least 7 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces over past 48 hours in Gaza

What Happened

At least 7 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the preceding 48 hours, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Hospitals received a total of 16 bodies; nine were recovered from rubble. The ministry reported 16 injuries in the same period, noting that ambulance and civil defence crews cannot reach more victims trapped under debris. It did not specify the circumstances of the deaths or injuries. The ministry stated that since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, Israeli army violations have killed 1,066 Palestinians and wounded 3,445. The overall death toll from the war stands at 73,090, with 173,550 injured, the ministry said. During the nominal truce, the Israeli military has expanded its zone of control inside Gaza, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in late May an instruction to seize more than 70 percent of the Strip. Negotiations for a second phase—envisaging Hamas disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal—remain stalled.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The continued killings and territorial expansion during a nominal ceasefire underscore the accord’s fragility and the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Gaza. The reported toll of over 1,000 ceasefire violations and the push to seize more than 70% of the Strip indicate that Israel is reshaping facts on the ground, which could preclude a negotiated second phase and entrench a long-term military occupation, with major implications for Palestinian sovereignty and regional stability.

Watch For

Monitor whether negotiations over the second phase resume, with Hamas’s disarmament and Israeli withdrawal as the core sticking points. Watch for further IDF territorial advances in line with Netanyahu’s directive, potential mass displacement, and any diplomatic interventions by the US, Egypt, or Qatar. The Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty updates will also indicate the scale of ongoing violence beneath the ceasefire.