Israeli Strikes Kill 15 in Gaza, Including Sons of Former Hamas Spokesman

CAIRO, Nov 27 – Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 15 people on Wednesday, including two sons of a former Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhoum, according to Gaza health officials and medics. The airstrikes targeted several locations, including a school housing displaced families in Gaza City.

At least eight Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured in an attack on the Al-Tabeaeen School, which had been serving as a shelter for displaced families in Gaza City. Among those killed were the two sons of Barhoum, a prominent figure in Hamas, as confirmed by the spokesman himself.

The violence continued in other parts of Gaza, with four people killed in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City and three more fatalities reported in Beit Lahiya, a town in the northern part of the enclave, where Israeli forces have been carrying out operations for several weeks.

Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah
In a separate development, a ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group. The ceasefire agreement was brokered by the United States and France, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East, where two wars have been raging for over a year.

Hezbollah had launched missile attacks against Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which initiated the current Gaza war by attacking Israel in October 2023. The Hamas assault killed around 1,200 Israelis and captured over 250 hostages, prompting Israel to launch a prolonged military campaign in Gaza.

Ongoing Gaza Conflict and Casualties
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has now lasted for 13 months, has resulted in nearly 44,200 deaths, according to Gaza health officials. The conflict has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip at least once. Despite months of efforts to broker a ceasefire, negotiations have stalled, with Qatar, a key mediator, halting its efforts until both parties are willing to make concessions.

US Push for Ceasefire and Middle East Diplomacy
US President Joe Biden reiterated on Tuesday that his administration is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, Biden suggested that there could be potential for normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which would mark a significant shift in the Middle East diplomatic landscape.