Three Palestinians were killed and several others wounded on Monday in a drone strike carried out by the Israeli military in central Gaza, despite a ceasefire agreement. According to local sources, the Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed that the airstrike targeted the Wadi Gaza area, leading to the deaths of three individuals. Another Palestinian was killed in a separate strike near Kuwait Roundabout, southeast of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Since the Israeli offensive began on October 7, 2023, the total death toll in Gaza has reached 48,577, with over 112,000 individuals injured.
This escalation comes amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Israel continues to block the Kerem Shalom border crossing, which is the main entry point for aid and fuel. The blockade has been in place for 16 days, severely affecting the healthcare sector, with hospitals facing critical shortages of medical supplies. The closure has also paralyzed transportation, hindering the movement of the wounded and sick to medical facilities. Moreover, power shortages have resulted in the shutdown of water desalination plants, exacerbating the region’s already severe water crisis.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) confirmed that no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since March 2. UNICEF also warned that one million Palestinian children are facing acute food and water shortages, further endangering their survival.
In parallel, a Hamas delegation is scheduled to arrive in Cairo within two days, following an invitation from Egypt, to engage in negotiations about extending the ceasefire based on a proposal presented by U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein. Despite these diplomatic efforts, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, raising concerns about an increasingly dire humanitarian situation.
