Palestinian medics say six people were killed and several injured after an Israeli strike in Gaza City's al-Shati neighbourhood. The IDF said it targeted Hamas commanders allegedly plotting attacks on Israeli soldiers, while Palestinians say a harbour café was hit — a claim not immediately confirmed. The incident underscores the fragility of the ceasefire in place since October 2025 and comes amid US-led negotiations over the surrender and handling of Hamas weapons. Israel insists on retaining its military "freedom of action" for targeted operations, complicating efforts to finalize a truce plan.
Six Dead After Israeli Strike Hits Gaza City's al-Shati, Medics Say
FILE PHOTO - Palestinian Civil Defense members, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), work to recover bodies from beneath the rubble of a home belonging to the Gharbiya family in western Gaza City. (is associated with: «Six killed in Israeli strike in Gaza City, Palestinian medics say») Bilal Osama/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Palestinian medics reported that six people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli strike in the al-Shati neighbourhood of Gaza City on Tuesday evening. The casualties were taken to Shifa Hospital, where staff said there was initially no confirmed information on the identities of those killed or wounded.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the operation targeted several Hamas commanders it accused of planning attacks on Israeli soldiers in the coastal territory. Palestinian witnesses also said a café on the harbour was struck; the IDF did not immediately confirm that specific claim.
Reports from both sides have not been independently verified. Amid the long-standing tensions, even an officially declared ceasefire has not prevented deadly incidents from recurring in the Gaza war.
Diplomatic Context
US negotiator Jared Kushner visited the region this week as part of efforts to implement a Gaza plan that would include the surrender of Hamas weapons and an end to hostilities. According to local media, Israel had recently scaled back targeted strikes in the Gaza Strip under US pressure, but the ceasefire has been fragile.
A central dispute in the talks concerns how surrendered weapons would be handled: some proposals call for weapons to be stored and remain under Palestinian control, while Israel demands their complete removal from the Gaza Strip, arguing they could otherwise return to militant hands.
"Israel insists on preserving its military's \"freedom of action\" to carry out targeted operations," a senior Israeli government official said after a meeting between Kushner and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The official added this posture applied both to immediate threats to Israeli forces and to militants implicated in the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israeli border communities.
As events continue to unfold, independent verification of claims from all parties remains limited. News outlets and local authorities may provide further details as investigations and reporting progress.
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