Israeli Strikes Kill Two in Gaza and Destroy Medicine Warehouses

Israeli forces carried out air strikes in Gaza on Saturday, killing two Palestinians and destroying warehouses that stored medicine near a hospital. The strikes hit near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, a city in southern Gaza. Two warehouses that held medical supplies were completely destroyed, and two others were damaged. The hospital's outpatient clinic, where patients go for treatment without staying overnight, was also damaged.

The destroyed warehouses held critical medical supplies. Hospital staff said they stored medicine and equipment for kidney failure patients who need dialysis machines to stay alive. They also held basic wound-care items like gauze. Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, a doctor at the hospital, said the strike happened in the middle of the night and called it a serious crime against the people depending on those supplies.

The Israeli military said it warned people to leave the area before the strike. Under international law, hospitals and civilian sites are protected from attacks. However, that protection can be lost if a site is used for military purposes. Israel's military claims that Hamas fighters use civilian areas and buildings, which is why it carries out such strikes.

A second, separate strike killed two Palestinians in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military said those killed were Hamas fighters but gave no further details. Palestinian health officials have not confirmed that claim. Fighting in Gaza has continued even as world leaders work to find a peace agreement.

Fatima Sharab, a Palestinian woman forced from her home, was sheltering near the warehouses when the strike happened. She said many sick people had gathered in that area to stay close to the hospital. After the blast, she went back to where her camp had been. She found nothing left standing.

Since a ceasefire began last October, Israel has continued to strike Gaza and has killed 1,222 Palestinians over the past nine months. Palestinian health officials say most of those killed have been civilians, including women and children. Hamas does not often report how many of its own fighters have been killed. The conflict has caused a deep humanitarian crisis in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Hamas had agreed to give up its weapons, calling it a big step toward peace. Hamas had controlled Gaza for nearly 20 years before attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, which started the war. Trump's team released a roadmap outlining the final steps to end the conflict. The plan says Israel will stop military operations as part of a 20-point agreement it signed last year.

Not everyone in Israel's government supports the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented publicly on it. His National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called the agreement unacceptable and said Israel must keep targeting Hamas leaders. The future of the peace plan remains unclear as leaders on all sides continue to disagree.