Gaza: The Israeli army killed four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, marking a violation of the current ceasefire agreement. A military statement indicated that six individuals were struck in eastern Rafah after they 'most likely emerged' from an underground infrastructure in the area. The army further reported that four of these individuals were killed, while two others were detained.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli media reports suggest that nearly 200 Hamas fighters remain trapped in underground tunnels in Rafah. This area is still occupied by Israeli troops under the 'yellow line' arrangements, which form part of the ceasefire agreement effective since October 10. Despite demands from the Palestinian group and mediators, Tel Aviv has not allowed safe passage for these fighters to areas within Gaza not controlled by Israel.

There has been no statement from Hamas regarding the Israeli attack in Rafah. In a separate incident, two more Palestinians were killed when an Israeli drone targeted a group of civilians near the Beit Lahia Roundabout in the northern Gaza Strip. Medical sources confirmed the casualties, and witnesses told Anadolu that the drone fired on a gathering in an area previously vacated by the army as per the ceasefire understanding.

These incidents represent the latest breach of the ceasefire reached between Hamas and Israel. The agreement, which came into effect on October 10, was mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey with US backing. Palestinian figures indicate that at least 342 people have been killed by Israeli army fire since the ceasefire began.

Since October 2023, the ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 70,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children, and has left 171,000 others injured. The brutal war has devastated much of the enclave, with widespread destruction persisting in the aftermath.