Israeli Strikes Kill Five in Gaza

Israeli military operations in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians on July 12, 2026, as air raids and ground fire targeted central and northern sectors of the enclave. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, a nine-year-old girl was among those killed during gunfire near the Al-Bureij refugee camp, while a separate drone strike on a blacksmith’s shop in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood claimed four additional lives.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, characterizing the targets as terrorist infrastructure. These incidents occur despite a ceasefire agreement established in October 2025. Data from the Gaza Health Ministry indicates that at least 1,098 Palestinians have been killed and 3,535 wounded since the ceasefire began, as Israeli forces continue to expand territorial control, now reportedly encompassing approximately 80 percent of the enclave.

The violence coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts in Cairo, where Hamas representatives are engaged in negotiations regarding the second phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan. Discussions remain stalled over core requirements, including the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the territory. Total casualties since the conflict began in October 2023 have reached at least 73,118, according to local health officials.