GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, March 15, (V7N) – Nine people, including journalists and humanitarian workers, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza on Saturday, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack, which targeted a vehicle in Beit Lahia, was denounced by Hamas as a “blatant violation” of the fragile ceasefire.

The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at “two terrorists operating a drone that posed a threat to IDF troops.” It added that after the initial strike, additional individuals retrieved the drone equipment and entered a vehicle, which was subsequently targeted.

Hamas condemned the attack, accusing Israel of committing a "horrific massacre" against journalists and aid workers. The director of Hamas-affiliated media in Gaza said the journalists were using a drone to film a Ramadan dining scene when they were hit.

Despite near-daily Israeli airstrikes since early March, the ceasefire, in place since January 19, has largely held, though no agreement has been reached on extending it. While the first phase of the truce ended on March 1, both Israel and Hamas have so far refrained from resuming full-scale war.

END/WD/RH/