At least five Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on April 20, according to Palestinian health officials, as renewed violence continued to undermine an already fragile ceasefire agreement.
Medical sources reported that one person was killed in an airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, while another strike in Gaza City left one dead and several others injured. Later the same day, a further airstrike in western Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed at least three more people, according to officials at Nasser Hospital.
The Israeli military has not issued an immediate comment on the latest strikes. The violence comes despite a US-brokered ceasefire deal signed in October following two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The agreement, which includes provisions for disarmament of Hamas and Israeli military withdrawals, has seen limited progress, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations. Local health authorities say more than 750 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect, while Israel reports several of its soldiers have also been killed in attacks.
Under the current arrangement, Israeli forces continue to hold a large controlled zone in Gaza, while Hamas maintains control over other parts of the coastal enclave, which remains heavily damaged by years of conflict.
In a separate development, witnesses and local sources reported clashes between Hamas fighters and members of an Israeli-backed militia operating in areas under Israeli control in eastern Khan Younis. The group reportedly crossed into Hamas-controlled territory before retreating under fire.
A video verified by Reuters showed armed men in black uniforms arriving in the area before gunfire erupted. The militia leader, Hussam Alastal, claimed his group was delivering aid supplies but said one of his members was killed during the incident and warned of further incursions.
Hamas accused the group of collaborating with Israel and endangering civilians, saying its fighters responded after the armed men entered populated areas. Analysts say the emergence of small local armed groups has added further complexity to Gaza’s already volatile security situation and could hinder efforts to stabilise the territory.
