Israeli Strike Kills Seven in Gaza Amid Truce Talks

A Palestinian man inspects the site of an Israeli strike on a house whose residents were warned to evacuate before the attack, in Zawayda, central Gaza Strip, 5 June 2026.

At least seven Palestinians, including two women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Saturday, according to local health officials, as mediators resumed ceasefire talks in Cairo aimed at preserving a fragile truce.

Medical sources said the strike targeted a large tent encampment in central Gaza City, leaving at least 15 others injured, including children.

The Israeli military said it had carried out an operation targeting “terrorists” but did not provide further details regarding the incident.

The latest violence came as Egypt hosted a new round of indirect negotiations involving Hamas and other Palestinian factions in an effort to sustain the ceasefire and move discussions toward a second phase of the agreement.

Sources close to the negotiations said the talks, expected to continue for several days, are focused on ensuring implementation of the initial ceasefire phase and exploring pathways for broader agreements.

A Hamas spokesperson said discussions are centred on Israel’s implementation of earlier commitments and efforts to build consensus for future negotiations.

According to sources familiar with the talks, Hamas has told mediators — including Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and international envoys — that halting Israeli military operations, increasing humanitarian aid access and withdrawing forces to agreed ceasefire lines are key conditions for progress.

The ceasefire, brokered earlier this year, has struggled to fully stop hostilities, with both sides reporting casualties since the truce took effect.

Gaza health authorities say nearly 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023, with civilians accounting for a large proportion of the casualties.

Israel says its military operations are aimed at preventing attacks and maintaining security, while also allowing humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

The conflict began after Hamas-led fighters launched attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages, according to Israeli authorities.