Turkish Foreign Minister Discusses Peace Efforts with Hamas Official in Gaza

Multiple Fatalities Reported in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli Military Operations

A Palestinian man, Eyad al-Motawwaq, has been confirmed dead following an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle west of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Saturday. According to medical sources, at least four people have been killed and 15 others injured in the past 48 hours.

The incident occurred outside the designated zones of Israeli military deployment under the October ceasefire agreement. Witnesses reported that the drone strike struck the motorcycle in an area west of the Jabalia refugee camp.

Separately, Israel shelled the eastern areas of Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood on Saturday, although no casualties have been confirmed. An earlier air strike on the same area was reported by Al Jazeera, despite being within the designated “green line” zone meant to mark a safe area for civilians.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported at least four fatalities and 15 injuries since the start of the past 48 hours. Rescue teams are currently working to reach victims trapped under rubble.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 72,000 people and injured more than 172,000 since October 2023. The ministry also reports that approximately 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving nearly two million residents displaced.

Since the ceasefire agreement, at least 850 Palestinians have been killed and 2,433 others injured in Israeli attacks. Israel’s military currently occupies around 60% of Gaza’s territory, which is demarcated by a “yellow line” buffer zone.

Truce talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled, with senior Israeli military officials pushing for a return to war due to Hamas’s stance against surrendering weapons. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Muhammad Darwish, head of Hamas’s advisory Shura Council, to discuss efforts to secure peace in Gaza and humanitarian assistance initiatives.

Fidan declared Israel’s expanding presence in Gaza and its obstruction of humanitarian aid deliveries as “unacceptable” during the meeting in Ankara. He also reiterated Turkey’s opposition to any attempts to force Palestinians to leave Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera