Israel airstrikes in Gaza cast doubt on ceasefire progress

Deadly Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday have raised concerns regarding the progress of ceasefire negotiations. The strikes, which occurred shortly after U.S. negotiators reportedly requested a drawdown of attacks, resulted in at least 10 deaths according to local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

In the Tuffah area of Gaza City, a strike on a police station killed eight officers and a 13-year-old girl, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Israeli military stated the target was four Hamas militants planning attacks against Israeli troops. A separate strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed one person; the military claimed this strike targeted a Hamas commander involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Additionally, Israeli troops crossed the ceasefire line in southern Gaza to detain a Hamas police colonel. These military actions follow a meeting on Monday between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.