Casualties Reported in Gaza Strikes
Eleven Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday morning, according to Palestinian civil defence and health officials.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it had targeted terror sites in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas. The IDF reported that militants were killed after emerging from a tunnel into the area of the Gaza Strip controlled by the Israeli military.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a strike on a tent encampment in northern Gaza resulted in at least six fatalities, while another strike in the southern part of the strip caused five deaths.
Ceasefire Violations and Ongoing Conflict
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of near-daily violations of a fragile ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since 10 October.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has reported that at least 600 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
Earlier this month, local officials reported that at least 32 people were killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes across Gaza.
US-Brokered Ceasefire and Peace Efforts
The recent strikes occurred as preparations continued for the implementation of the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Last month, US President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a new body called the Board of Peace. This board has a mandate from the United Nations Security Council to create an international force tasked with securing border areas in Gaza and overseeing the disarmament of Hamas.
The Board of Peace, which was scheduled to hold its first meeting in Washington on 19 February, will also supervise the formation of a new technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza and oversee post-war reconstruction efforts.
Last week, it was announced that Indonesia, a member of the Board of Peace, would deploy 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement.
Background of the Conflict
The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 71,820 people have been killed, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Diplomatic Developments
Elsewhere, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington on Wednesday to meet with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed strategies to curb Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran maintains is for civilian purposes only.
Netanyahu was expected to urge Trump to pursue an agreement to halt Iran's uranium enrichment and to reduce its ballistic missile program.
However, Trump later stated there was "nothing definitive reached" and that talks with Iran would continue.
Iran's deputy foreign minister informed that further talks would take place in Geneva on Tuesday. An unnamed US official confirmed the date to news agency.
