The Israel military launched a deadly strike on a shelter in Gaza City as senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye gathered in the United States for talks aimed at advancing the next stage of the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
At least six Palestinians were killed and several others injured on Friday when Israeli tank fire struck a school in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood that had been converted into a shelter. Local sources said the shells hit the second floor while displaced families were attending a wedding.
The attack adds to hundreds of alleged ceasefire violations since the US-brokered truce took effect in October, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
Ceasefire Talks Continue in the United States
The strike came as Steve Witkoff, special envoy of Donald Trump, prepared to hold talks in Miami, Florida, focused on moving the Gaza agreement into its next phase.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the participation of Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, saying Washington’s priority is completing the first phase of the truce. That includes setting up a Palestinian technocratic body to help govern Gaza, establishing a foreign-led “Board of Peace”, and deploying an international policing force.
Rubio said completing phase one would unlock reconstruction funding and long-term humanitarian support, calling the current situation “unsustainable”.
According to Axios, the Miami meeting includes Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Aid Blockade and Continued Attacks Raise Alarm
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a limited security consultation to review scenarios for the ceasefire’s second phase. An Israeli official warned that a renewed military campaign to disarm Hamas could be considered if US engagement weakens.
Despite US assertions that the ceasefire remains in force, Israeli attacks across Gaza have continued almost daily since October 10. Israel has also restricted humanitarian aid, deepening Gaza’s crisis after two years of war.
On Friday alone, air strikes, artillery shelling, and heavy gunfire were reported in eastern Khan Younis, Bani Suheila, Deir el-Balah, and Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood. Israeli naval vessels were also reported to have fired on fishing boats off the coast.