At least nine Palestinians, including three local journalists, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, a town in northern Gaza, according to the local health ministry. The attack came as Hamas leaders were in Cairo for ceasefire talks with mediators.

Health officials reported that several people were critically injured when the strike hit a car, killing individuals both inside and outside the vehicle.

Witnesses and fellow journalists said the victims were on a mission for the charity Al-Khair Foundation and were accompanied by photographers and reporters when the attack occurred. Palestinian media confirmed that three local journalists were among those killed.

The Israeli military initially stated that the strike targeted two “terrorists” who were operating a drone that threatened Israeli forces, along with several individuals who retrieved the drone equipment.

Later, in another statement, the military claimed that six of the deceased were members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and accused some of them of operating “under the cover of journalists.”

This incident highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement that was implemented on January 19 to halt large-scale fighting in Gaza. Palestinian health officials report that Israeli attacks have continued despite the truce, resulting in dozens of casualties.

Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, rejected Israel’s claims, stating that the victims were civilians working near a shelter on a charity mission. He emphasized that they were not in a restricted area and posed no threat to Israeli forces.