An Israeli airstrike has killed at least six Palestinians at a café in Gaza City’s fishing harbor, according to Gaza health officials, in the latest deadly escalation amid stalled efforts to revive a peace agreement.
Medics said the strike hit a small café inside the fishing harbor in western Gaza City, an area that has also become a displacement site for Palestinian families. At least 14 other people were wounded, and a child was among those killed.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted Hamas commanders who were allegedly planning attacks against Israeli troops. Israel said it took measures to reduce the risk to civilians, while acknowledging that civilian casualties were reported.
The attack comes just days after U.S. envoy Jared Kushner held talks with Israeli and Hamas representatives in an attempt to revive Washington’s Gaza peace plan.
Those discussions ended without a breakthrough, with Israel insisting on Hamas disarmament before a full military withdrawal, while Hamas has pushed for an Israeli withdrawal as part of any agreement.
The latest strike has further raised fears that continued violence could undermine diplomatic efforts.
As negotiations remain deadlocked, civilians in Gaza continue to face the consequences of renewed military operations, displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
