Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least two Palestinians after Hamas draft peace deal

Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least two Palestinians, officials in the territory said on Thursday, just hours after Hamas announced its acceptance of a draft peace agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United Nations. The strikes, which targeted residential areas in the northern and central parts of Gaza, came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the eight‑year conflict that began with Israel’s 2023 military operation.

The casualties were reported by the Hamas health ministry, which confirmed the deaths of two civilians and noted additional injuries. Israeli military spokespeople said the attacks were aimed at “terrorist infrastructure” and were conducted in response to recent rocket fire from Gaza. International mediators welcomed Hamas’s willingness to negotiate, urging both sides to refrain from further violence while a final settlement is drafted. The latest round of hostilities underscores the fragility of the cease‑fire talks and the challenges facing a durable resolution to the conflict.