Date: June 7, 2026 l By Ebere Emmanuel
At least nine Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday as Egypt hosted a new round of ceasefire negotiations aimed at salvaging a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas. The latest violence underscores the challenges facing mediators seeking to prevent a return to full-scale war in the enclave.
According to Palestinian health officials, one of the deadliest attacks targeted a Hamas-run police station in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing five people and injuring at least 16 others. The facility was located near a camp housing displaced families, raising concerns about civilian casualties. Another Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City reportedly killed four additional people.
The Israeli military said it had struck what it described as a Hamas command and control center, although it did not immediately comment on the separate attack in Gaza City. Israeli authorities have maintained that military operations are aimed at preventing Hamas from rebuilding its operational capabilities and launching further attacks.
The renewed violence comes as Egyptian mediators host representatives from Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Cairo for fresh negotiations intended to preserve the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has largely halted major fighting since late 2025. The talks are expected to focus on several contentious issues, including the future role of Hamas’ security forces, the release of hostages, Israeli troop deployments, and long-term governance arrangements in Gaza.
Despite the ceasefire, sporadic airstrikes and military operations have continued across the territory. Previous rounds of indirect negotiations have stalled over demands for Hamas’ disarmament and calls for a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Both issues remain among the most difficult obstacles to reaching a comprehensive peace agreement.
The conflict began after Hamas launched its October 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza that has devastated much of the territory. Palestinian health authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed during the war, while vast numbers have been displaced from their homes.
As negotiators meet in Cairo, hopes remain that diplomacy can prevent another major escalation. However, Sunday's deadly strikes highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the deep divisions that continue to separate the two sides. With humanitarian conditions in Gaza remaining dire and key political disputes unresolved, the path toward a lasting settlement remains uncertain.