Five Palestinians were killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire, health officials reported, escalating tensions and jeopardizing a four-month-old, US-brokered truce in the region.
In Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, a strike killed two individuals riding an electric bike, according to medics. Later, Israeli drone fire resulted in the death of a woman in the same city, and troops shot and killed a man in Khan Younis, in the south, they said.
Another man died from Israeli gunfire in Jabalia, located in northern Gaza, Palestinian medics confirmed.
This violence followed an incident the previous day in Rafah, where Israeli forces killed four militants after they emerged from an underground tunnel and opened fire on troops.
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out attacks targeting what it described as Hamas militants in response to the previous day’s events in Rafah, but did not directly comment on the deaths of the four individuals.
In Gaza City, dozens of Palestinians gathered at funerals for three people killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building the night before.
Two of the bodies were draped with a Hamas green flag and bore a green Hamas ribbon on the forehead, indicating their affiliation with the militant group.
The identities of those killed have not been independently verified.
Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement, a central component of US President Donald Trump’s plan to resolve the Gaza war—the most devastating and prolonged conflict in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
The next phase of Mr. Trump’s plan calls for Hamas to disarm, Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Hamas has consistently rejected demands to relinquish its weapons, and Israeli officials are preparing for a potential resumption of full-scale warfare.
Netanyahu to Focus on Iran Missile Program in Trump Talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will prioritize discussions regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program during his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu stated that the primary focus of his talks with President Trump will be the ongoing negotiations with Iran, specifically pushing for a more assertive US stance on Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
Iran has so far resisted expanding negotiations with the US beyond the scope of its nuclear program, despite Washington’s desire to address both the missile program and Iran’s support for regional militant groups.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet in Washington tomorrow, marking their sixth encounter in the United States since Mr. Trump took office a year ago.
Their previous meeting took place in Jerusalem in October, when Mr. Trump announced a ceasefire in Gaza.
The upcoming meeting follows recent talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, after which Mr. Trump indicated that another round of negotiations would be held.
Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump will also discuss growing international concerns over Israeli measures to strengthen control of the occupied West Bank by permitting settlers to purchase land directly from Palestinian owners.
It remains uncertain whether this issue will be raised during their discussions, despite Mr. Trump’s previous opposition to any annexation of the West Bank.
“On this trip, we will discuss a range of issues: Gaza, the region, but of course, first and foremost, the negotiations with Iran,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement prior to his departure.
“I will present to the president our views regarding the principles for the negotiations.”
A statement from Mr. Netanyahu’s office over the weekend indicated he would emphasize Israel’s concerns about Iran’s missile arsenal, not solely its nuclear program.
Iran Warns Netanyahu Visit Could Hinder Diplomacy
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson cautioned that Mr. Netanyahu’s visit would have a “destructive” impact on diplomatic efforts, potentially harming regional stability.
Israeli concerns reached a peak during an unprecedented conflict between the two nations in June of last year.
Since then, Israeli officials have consistently warned that Iran’s missile capabilities represent a distinct and, in some ways, more immediate threat than its nuclear program.
Israeli officials contend that Iran could launch attacks on Israel with little warning and potentially overwhelm the country’s air-defense systems in a prolonged conflict.
During the June war, Iran launched numerous ballistic missiles and projectiles at Israeli territory, impacting both military and civilian areas.
Those that struck populated areas “caused severe damage,” according to Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.
“I don’t think it’s like an existential threat, but definitely it’s a major threat on the Israeli home front.”
Analysts suggest that Mr. Netanyahu is apprehensive about any agreement reached with the Iranians.
“He’s concerned that President Trump is not quite as enthusiastic about a military attack on the Iranians as Netanyahu wishes were the case,” said Guy Ziv, an associate professor at the foreign policy and global security department at American University in Washington.
“He wants to first convince President Trump that Iran’s ballistic missiles, which he sees as a major threat to Israel, must be included in any agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme,” Mr Ziv said.
“He wants to make sure that… Trump sees that as a red line as well.”
The 12-day war in June began with unprecedented Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas.
The United States subsequently joined the offensive, targeting three Iranian nuclear sites, before a ceasefire brokered by Mr. Trump took effect.
In Israel, the war resulted in 30 fatalities and widespread property damage, including a hospital and several public institutions.
In October 2024, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles at Israel in response to the assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah figures.
In April 2024, amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iran—a key supporter of the Palestinian Islamist group—conducted its first-ever drone and missile attack on Israel.
This strike was in retaliation for a deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus days earlier, which Tehran blamed on Israel.
