WEB DESK: At least six Palestinians have been killed after Israeli forces opened fire on what it described as “several suspects” in Gaza, according to health authorities. This incident occurred a day after Hamas returned 20 Israeli hostages, while Israel facilitated the return of 38 buses carrying Palestinian detainees to Gaza.
The Israeli military said the people were seen crossing the “yellow line,” which marks the area controlled by Israel under the current ceasefire. The military called this “a violation of the agreement.” They said they tried to stop the people, but when they kept moving toward Israeli soldiers, the soldiers fired their weapons, saying it was needed to stop the threat.
Gaza’s health authorities reported that six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents. Five of these deaths occurred in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, where witnesses said an Israeli drone struck a group inspecting damage to their homes following the ceasefire.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, condemned the killings as a breach of the ceasefire accord. He urged involved parties to hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure adherence to its commitments under mediation efforts.
The ceasefire, which started on Friday, came after long talks in Egypt. It includes plans for a prisoner swap and to reopen border crossings so that aid can get into Gaza. As part of the deal, Israel agreed to stop fighting and pull back some of its forces from Gaza, while Hamas promised to free all remaining hostages in exchange for Israel releasing more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Since the ceasefire began, over 250 bodies have been found in different parts of Gaza, according to Civil Defense teams. Many people are still trapped under the debris, and rescue work is slowed down because there is not enough equipment. Civil Defense officials have also warned about the danger from unexploded bombs left around the area, which puts civilians at more risk.
The war has badly damaged Gaza, causing a lot of destruction and hunger. Health officials say more than 67,800 people have died from Israeli attacks since the fighting began.
