Israel kills three Palestinians in Gaza despite ‘ceasefire’

What Happened

An Israeli drone strike near al-Hilu station in Gaza City killed at least three Palestinians on Wednesday, according to Wafa news agency citing local sources. The Israeli military announced earlier on Telegram that it had killed four Hamas fighters in separate strikes in northern Gaza, naming them as Wael Mahmoud Ali Labad, Muaz Mohammad Hassan Ahmad, Sameh Abu Kamil, and Akram Ashraf Hamad Labad, without providing evidence. The strike occurred despite an October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, under which large-scale fighting has largely paused but Israeli attacks continue. Gaza’s Government Media Office reports that since the truce began, 1,053 Palestinians have been killed and 3,406 wounded, with 3,465 documented Israeli violations. The Palestinian Ministry of Health puts overall war casualties at 73,066 killed and 173,514 injured since October 2023. Israeli forces have also expanded the area under their control, prohibiting Palestinians from entering territory beyond the so-called 'Yellow Line,' effectively placing 53 percent of the enclave off-limits by early 2024, growing to 64 percent by March, and Prime Minister Netanyahu on May 28 instructed the military to expand control to more than 70 percent.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and Israel’s continued military operations inside Gaza, including territorial expansion and displacement. By late May, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had ordered the military to extend control over more than 70% of the Strip, effectively annexing large areas and forcing residents out. The stalled second-phase negotiations—hinging on Hamas’s disarmament and Israeli withdrawal—leave the prospect of a durable ceasefire remote, while civilian casualties mount and the humanitarian crisis deepens.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israel proceeds with the planned expansion of military control to over 70% of Gaza, as stated by Netanyahu on May 28, and whether further displacement orders follow. Watch for any resumption of formal negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire, particularly mediated talks in Doha or Cairo. Track casualty and violation reports from Gaza’s Government Media Office and the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as well as potential international reactions, including from the UN and ICC/ICJ proceedings.