Israeli forces conducted a “targeted strike” in central Gaza on Saturday, reportedly aimed at an individual accused of planning an attack on Israeli troops. According to Israel’s military, the strike was part of ongoing security measures to prevent militant operations against its forces.
The attack took place despite a US-backed ceasefire that has remained in effect for over two years since the Gaza war began. However, both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the truce.
The Israeli military said the target was a member of the Islamic Jihad group, which has been involved in multiple clashes with Israeli forces over recent years.
In response, Islamic Jihad denied the Israeli claims, calling them “mere fallacious allegations” and refusing to confirm whether any of its members had been killed in the strike.
Witnesses told Reuters that an Israeli drone hit a vehicle, setting it on fire. Local medical teams reported that four people were wounded, though there were no confirmed fatalities as of Sunday.
Separately, witnesses reported Israeli tank shelling in eastern Gaza City, the enclave’s most populated area. The Israeli military did not immediately provide comment on these reports.
In another development, several Israeli media outlets reported that Israel had allowed Egyptian officials to enter Gaza for the first time since the conflict began.
The officials are assisting in the search for the remains of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli communities — the event that sparked the war.
Hamas has stated that, under the terms of the ceasefire, it will return all hostages taken during the attack. However, the remains of 13 individuals are still believed to be inside Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has not yet issued a statement on the matter.
