Israeli airstrike kills 9 Palestinians, including journalists, in northern Gaza

At least nine Palestinians, including journalists, were killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike, targeting a relief team in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

“Nine people were martyred, and several injured, including critical cases, were brought to the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza following the ongoing Israeli aggression,” the ministry said in a statement.

Sources said the drone strike hit a relief team distributing temporary tents to residents whose homes had been destroyed by Israeli attacks.

Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ and cease-fire violations

The Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center confirmed the deaths of three journalists in the strike, stating that they were documenting humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by “Israel’s genocidal war.”

The airstrike occurred amid a series of Israeli violations of the cease-fire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, which took effect on Jan. 19.

While the first six-week phase of the cease-fire ended in early March, Israel has refused to proceed with the second phase, which involves further captive exchanges with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed negotiations for the second phase, instead seeking to extend the initial prisoner exchange to secure the release of more Israeli captives without fulfilling the agreement’s military and humanitarian obligations.

Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the cease-fire and urged mediators to enforce Israel’s compliance and push for renewed negotiations.

Since October 2023, more than 48,500 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, leaving the enclave in ruins.