Israeli Airstrikes Kill Multiple Palestinians in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks

Israeli airstrikes killed several Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on April 13, 2026, occurring amid an ongoing ceasefire and concurrent diplomatic efforts in Cairo to stabilize a peace agreement.

Reports on the number of casualties from the April 13 strikes varied across sources. According to TRT World, at least five Palestinians were killed, while reports from Al Jazeera and Firstpost stated that seven people were killed overnight. Anadolu Ajansı reported six deaths resulting from attacks across the territory.

Details of the Strikes

Health officials and medics provided specific details regarding the locations of the attacks. In central Gaza, a strike hit a group of men outside a school in Deir al-Balah, resulting in four deaths. A separate strike targeted a cafe in Gaza City, killing one person and injuring another.

At Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, the bodies of those killed were received outside the morgue as relatives gathered for funerals.

Conflicting Claims and Military Justifications

The Israeli military reported that its operations targeted an armed cell in the Palestinian territory. However, Hamas has accused Israel of specifically targeting police forces in Gaza, claiming that such actions are intended to sow chaos.

Hamas officials further stated that any discussions regarding disarmament are dependent upon the fulfillment of full ceasefire conditions.

Diplomatic Efforts in Cairo

The escalation in violence took place as mediators from Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar met with leaders from Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Cairo. These meetings were intended to shore up a US-brokered ceasefire deal.

The continued strikes have placed the existing ceasefire under significant pressure as mediators attempt to finalize the terms of the agreement.

Broader Humanitarian Context

The recent violence contributes to a high death toll since the current ceasefire began. According to TRT World, Israel has killed more than 750 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire was established.

The wider conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 72,000 Palestinians, leaving much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.