Israeli fire kills four Palestinians in Gaza amid new ceasefire talks

Palestinian officials on Tuesday said Israeli fire killed at least four people and wounded no fewer than 14 in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, even as a fragile ceasefire with Hamas has largely held.

Israeli strikes have killed dozens of Palestinians who, the army said, had approached its troops or entered unauthorized areas in violation of the January truce.

Recall that last week, Israel suspended supplies of goods and electricity to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians as it tried to pressure the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire.

That phase ended on March 1.

Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce.

Hamas instead wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase, which would see the release of the remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a lasting peace.

Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.