Israeli strikes kill at least two in Gaza

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner delivered a direct warning to Hamas in Cairo negotiations, pressuring the group to fully disarm and end military expansion, with the United States and mediators making clear that failure to implement would jeopardize the process and invite international backing for Israel to act. Channeling the mood of a high-stakes effort, officials emphasized that the real test is implementation and that any deception would halt talks, while Israel’s security concerns remain central to the framework. Negotiators aim to prevent Hamas from regaining power while ensuring accountability if commitments are not met, and Hamas’s leadership reportedly pledged to implement the framework’s disarmament and demilitarization obligations in the face of international scrutiny. Separately, ceasefire violations persist in Gaza, with Israeli attacks killing at least two Palestinians, including a child, and wounding more in central and southern areas, prompting emergency responses and ongoing civilian harm. The incidents underscore the fragility of the ceasefire in force since October, as new strikes in places like Az-Zawayda and Deir al-Balah fuel renewed tensions and humanitarian concerns. These developments together depict a tense standoff where diplomatic efforts seek a verifiable disarmament path while violence and compliance questions threaten to derail the agreement, highlighting a volatile mix of mediation and military action.