Latest Israeli Assault in Gaza Kills 5 People
Gaza’s civil defence body said that Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people. The incident represents the latest violence by Israel in Gaza amid a US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
According to AFP on Friday (27 February 2026), Gaza’s civil defence authority, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas control, reported that an early morning airstrike on Friday killed at least two people and wounded one other in central Gaza.
Drone strikes were also reported to have occurred in southern Gaza shortly after midnight. The southern assault killed three people and wounded several others.
Violence continues across the Palestinian territory despite the ceasefire entering its second phase last month, with Israel and Hamas trading accusations of violations.
Under the ceasefire terms, which came into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces withdrew to positions behind what is known as the “Yellow Line”, although they still control more than half of the territory.
The Israeli military said it struck armed Hamas members in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Friday evening in response to what they characterised as “breaches of the ceasefire agreement”.
In a statement, it was noted that Israeli forces “identified several armed operatives emerging from underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah”.
“Shortly afterwards, Israeli forces alongside the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated several individuals to eliminate the threat,” the Israeli military statement said.
“In response to those breaches, (the Israeli military) appropriately struck several armed Hamas groups in the Rafah area on Friday evening.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, said at least 618 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
The Israeli military said at least five of its soldiers have been killed in the same period.
Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or covering the fighting freely.