Israel Launches ‘Extensive Strikes’ In Gaza As Ceasefire Deadlock Breaks, 9 Killed

<p>At least nine people have been killed and several others injured as Israel launched airstrikes in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, said the enclave’s health ministry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A British-based charity said most of those killed were aid workers in the deadliest incident since a ceasefire came into effect in January.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Hamas called the strikes a “blatant violation” of the truce, reported CNN.&nbsp;</p>
<p>UK-registered NGO Al-Khair Foundation said that a team of eight charity workers were killed in the strike. In a statement on Facebook, the charity’s founder Qasim Rashid Ahmad said it was a “very sad day” for the foundation and for aid workers around the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Today sadly another attack has taken place on aid workers while delivering aid,&rdquo; he said. Some of the victims &ldquo;were our team members, including volunteers, some of them were cameramen&hellip; and some of them were journalists.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The aid workers had been carrying out humanitarian work when they came under attack, Ahmad said denying the allegation they were involved in terror.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/israeli-air-strikes-on-syrian-province-daraa-kills-2-injures-19-1758373″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>2 Killed, 19 Injured In Israeli Air Strikes On Southern Syrian Province Of Daraa</a></strong></p>
<h2>Horrific Massacre: Hamas&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The Palestinian militant group accused the Israeli military of committing “a horrific massacre in Beit Lahia, claiming the lives of nine martyrs working for a charity engaged in humanitarian efforts at shelters and displacement centres.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;The targeting of unarmed civilians, especially those providing humanitarian aid to displaced and homeless individuals, constitutes a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law,&rdquo; Ismail Thawabta, Director General of Hamas&rsquo; Government Media Office, added.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-putin-call-russia-agrees-to-many-elements-of-peace-agreement-with-ukraine-1758371″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Russia Agrees To ‘Many Elements’ Of Peace Agreement With Ukraine, Says Trump Ahead Of Putin Call</a></strong></p>
<h2>Operating Drone That Posed Threat: Israel&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, Israel Defence Forces said that six “terrorists” had been killed in the area of Beit Lahia as they were “operating a drone that posed a threat to IDF troops.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;A number of terrorists were eliminated in the strike, including terrorists who operated under the cover of journalists,&rdquo; it said in a statement.</p>