Ten killed in Israeli strikes and clashes between Hamas and militia in Gaza, local sources say

49 minutes agoRushdi AbualoufGaza correspondent, IstanbulReutersRelatives of those killed during the clashes mourned outside al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-BalahAt least 10 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes and fighting between Hamas and an Israel-backed Palestinian militia in central Gaza, local sources say.The strikes reportedly targeted Hamas security personnel who had clashed with members of the militia east of Maghazi refugee camp. It is not clear how many of those died in the strikes or in the fighting on the ground.A spokesperson for al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah said the bodies of 10 people from the scene had been brought there. Dozens of other people were wounded and some were in a critical condition, they added.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military or Hamas.The exact sequence of Monday's events remains unclear.However, witnesses said members of the Israel-backed militia set up a checkpoint east of Maghazi, where they came under attack from Hamas security personnel, triggering clashes.The witnesses added that Israeli drones intervened to support the militia, carrying out strikes on Hamas personnel in three locations.Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeatedly violating the ceasefire which they agreed almost six months ago.At least 723 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.The Israeli military has said five of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian groups over the same period.The issue of disarmament has been one of the key stumbling blocks for the progression to the second phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan.Last week, a Hamas delegation met Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo to give its initial response to a proposal from the US-led Board of Peace for Palestinian groups to decommission their weapons.On Sunday, the spokesperson for Hamas's military wing rejected any talk of disarmament before Israel fulfilled its commitments under the first phase of Trump's plan."We will not accept raising the issue of weapons in this crude manner," said Abu Ubaida, whose namesake was killed in an Israeli strike last year.He added: "What the enemy failed to take from us by tanks and destruction, it will not take from us through politics or at the negotiating table."Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously warned Hamas that it will be disarmed "either the easy way or the hard way".Abu Ubaida also linked Hamas's fight in Gaza to the wider conflict between Israel and the US and Iran and its allies.He praised the missile, drone and rocket attacks on Israel by Iranian forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, as an "extension" of what Hamas started on 7 October 2023.The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that day, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.Israel responded by launching a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which more than 72,300 people have been killed, according to the territory's health ministry.