Israeli strikes in Gaza kill nine, including three children, after troops are fired upon, violating a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s civil defence agency reported nine fatalities from Israeli air strikes on Wednesday. The dead included three children, with at least 31 others wounded.

The strikes followed an incident where gunfire targeting Israeli troops seriously wounded an officer. Israel’s military described its response as “precision strikes” against the source of the attack.

It stated the troops came under fire near the so-called “Yellow Line” demarcation zone. The military considers the shooting a violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

Rescue services said three bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes hit Khan Yunis. Six more fatalities were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following strikes in Gaza City.

The civil defence agency operates as a rescue service under Hamas authority in the territory. The latest violence comes despite a US-brokered truce entering its second phase last month.

Both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the agreement. Saturday was among the deadliest recent days, with at least 32 Gazans reported killed.

The Israeli military said those strikes responded to a Hamas ceasefire violation. Gaza’s health ministry states at least 523 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began.

The Israeli military reports four of its soldiers have been killed in the same period. Media restrictions in Gaza prevent independent verification of casualty figures.

The strikes occurred days after Israel reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt. This crossing is the only exit for Gazans that does not pass through Israel.

US envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Netanyahu insisted Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised before reconstruction.

 The Sun Malaysia