Five police officers among at least eight Palestinians killed as Israeli strikes hit Gaza Strip

Two attacks on Sunday

At least eight Palestinians, including five police officers, died in Israeli strikes in two separate attacks on Sunday, according to medics and the Hamas-run interior ministry. The Israeli military said it targeted several militants in Khan Younis, but provided no further details. It did not immediately respond about the strike in Gaza City.

Ceasefire remains stalled

Israel says Hamas has been rearming and carrying out attacks in breach of the year-old ceasefire. Israel has increased strikes on the group in recent weeks. The US-brokered agreement envisages eventual reconstruction, but negotiations have made little headway. The sides have not agreed on Hamas disarming or Israel withdrawing its troops, who control about two-thirds of Gaza and have ordered residents to leave that area.

Residents face ongoing hardship

Gaza health officials say at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began. Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed during that period.

Wider conflict figures and talks

Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have died in Israel’s assault on Gaza. The assault began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The article also reports concern that the conflict could intensify after the November 3 US midterm elections. President Donald Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the vote and described talks with Tehran as productive, while leaving open the possibility of later military action.