Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza as casualties rise

In Gaza, Israeli military actions have resulted in significant casualties, with reports confirming the death of at least one Palestinian due to gunfire from Israeli forces. This incident occurred east of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, as reported by the Qatar News Agency on Saturday. The Gaza Health Ministry has also indicated that hospitals received the bodies of two Palestinians, one of whom was recovered from the rubble of destroyed buildings. The ongoing conflict has left many casualties, with at least five individuals, including children, wounded in separate Israeli attacks in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. Local sources reported that an Israeli tank opened fire on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, critically injuring a woman, while a girl was seriously wounded by Israeli army fire in Rafah. The situation remains dire, with the Gaza Health Ministry stating that the overall death toll since the onset of the conflict in October 2023 has reached 73,386, with 174,250 wounded. Many victims remain buried under rubble, and rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing hostilities. The Health Ministry has recorded 1,258 deaths and 4,139 injuries since a ceasefire was declared in October, with 807 bodies recovered from the rubble. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed. This rejection aligns with the stance of the U.S.-led Board of Peace, which has stated that any Israeli withdrawal would only occur after Hamas's disarmament, leaving the terms of the ceasefire and the timeline for Israel's exit from Gaza unresolved amidst rising casualties.