Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 2 as fragile ceasefire faces new test

Israeli forces struck parts of the Gaza Strip for a third consecutive day on Thursday night, killing two Palestinians and further straining a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire, according to the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency, WAFA.

WAFA reported that one man was killed by Israeli shelling, while another was shot dead by Israeli forces. A third Palestinian later died from wounds sustained in earlier bombardments. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The latest violence comes amid escalating tensions that have threatened to unravel the ceasefire agreement reached three weeks ago.

The truce, mediated by Washington, left key issues unresolved — including the disarmament of Hamas and a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, Israel launched a series of retaliatory airstrikes following the death of an Israeli soldier. Gaza’s health authorities said those attacks killed at least 104 people, mostly civilians.

Residents in Gaza reported heavy shelling in several areas overnight, forcing families to flee damaged homes. “We thought the ceasefire meant peace, but the bombs keep coming,” said one displaced resident sheltering in a school building.

International mediators have urged both sides to exercise restraint to prevent a full return to hostilities. However, analysts warn that without progress on underlying political issues, the ceasefire remains tenuous.

The renewed violence underscores the fragility of the truce and highlights the continuing volatility in Gaza, where years of conflict have left infrastructure shattered and tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions unresolved.