Drone Strike and Gunfire Leave Five Dead in Gaza Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

At least five Palestinians , including a 9-year-old girl , were killed in separate incidents involving Israeli fire in Gaza on Sunday, according to local health officials, underscoring the continuing volatility despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Officials at Shifa Hospital said a drone strike targeted a blacksmith shop in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City , killing four people and injuring another. The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out a strike in the area, saying it targeted "terrorist infrastructure" , but did not provide further details.

According to residents and health authorities, Palestinians in the area received an evacuation order from the military following the initial strike. About an hour later, intense airstrikes reportedly hit the same location again.

In a separate incident, officials at Gaza's Health Ministry said Tala Abu Matar, 9 , was killed by Israeli gunfire in a displacement camp in central Gaza. The Israeli military said it was not aware of such an incident.

Although violence has decreased significantly since a ceasefire took effect on October 10 , hostilities have not completely stopped. The Israeli military says it continues to target Hamas and other militant groups , often claiming that those targeted were preparing attacks. However, civilians have also continued to be killed in the fighting.

Gaza's Health Ministry says that more than 1,000 Palestinians , including hundreds of children, have been killed since the ceasefire began, while Israel says several of its soldiers have also died during that period.

The war began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel , which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages . Gaza's Health Ministry says the subsequent Israeli offensive has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians , though the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Meanwhile, negotiations over the next phase of the ceasefire remain deadlocked, with disputes continuing over the disarmament of Hamas, the release of hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Much of the territory's population remains displaced, with many families living in overcrowded camps or amid the ruins of destroyed buildings.