Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Sunday (March 16) killed at least five Palestinians, according to local officials. Two people were killed and several wounded in an attack on a house in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, while three others died in an airstrike on an apartment in northern Gaza City.
The attacks came just two days after the Peace Office of US President Donald Trump unveiled a 15-point roadmap to implement last year's ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This is the latest in a series of continued Israeli attacks despite diplomatic efforts.
The roadmap has not yet been implemented on the ground. Hamas has stated it will hand over its weapons only after Israel ceases military operations and withdraws forces per last year's agreement. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told Reuters that there would be no withdrawal from current positions unless Hamas carries out "genuine disarmament."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the initiative, but far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called it unacceptable and said Israel should continue targeting Hamas leaders.
Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official living in the United Arab Emirates, said Jared Kushner – Trump's son-in-law and a senior adviser to the US initiative – told him that Kushner is working with Israel to prevent attacks on Gaza. Dahlan said negotiations with Washington are ongoing and the success of the deal now depends on Israel completely ending its daily airstrikes.
In a separate development, Israeli airstrikes on Saturday destroyed a medical supply warehouse in central Gaza, leaving a 20-meter-wide and 10-meter-deep crater. This is part of a broader wave of attacks that continues despite efforts to push for a ceasefire.
