Ceasefire Falters as Israeli Fire Kills 2 in Rafah, Injures 3 in Khan Yunis
Israeli fire killed at least two people in Rafah and injured three others in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Sunday, fueling fears that the fragile ceasefire could collapse. The incident comes as the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began in January, ended over the weekend without a clear path forward.
In additional incidents, medics confirmed that at least two people were killed by Israeli drone fire in Rafah and three were wounded by a helicopter strike in Khan Yunis. The Israeli military said its forces fired at a motorboat in Khan Yunis that breached security restrictions, and at two suspects approaching its positions.
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Residents also reported intensified gunfire and tank shelling along Gaza’s eastern and southern borders, sparking fears that active fighting could resume at any moment. A state of alert has been declared among fighters, a Palestinian official affiliated with Hamas reportedly told Reuters.
Hamas insists that the second phase of the ceasefire—entailing a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war—must now begin. In response, Israel has offered a temporary extension of the ceasefire into April, contingent on Hamas releasing more hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, without launching immediate talks on Gaza’s future. Two Israeli government officials confirmed that mediators had asked Israel for a few more days to resolve the impasse.
