Drone strike kills seven in Gaza as ceasefire talks begin.

Tension mounts as a devastating Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City tent camp has claimed the lives of at least seven people. This violent assault arrives while Hamas officials prepare to meet in Egypt regarding the full implementation of the ceasefire deal.

According to Gaza's Civil Defence, the attack struck a displacement site housing families forced from their homes. A source at al-Shifa Hospital reported to Al Jazeera that the blast injured at least 15 individuals, many of whom are now critical in intensive care units.

Hani Mahmoud, reporting from the scene, confirmed that women and children were among the victims. The drone strikes triggered a massive explosion that plunged the United Nations school compound into chaos. Witnesses described a state of panic as people fled the burning tents.

Mahmoud noted that the attack targeted a specific tent adjacent to another where a wedding ceremony was underway. Victims were seen running into the streets, where civilian vehicles immediately rushed to transport the wounded to safety.

The Israeli army told the AFP news agency that its forces targeted terrorists in the sector, offering no further details on the operation. This incident highlights ongoing Israeli violations of the so-called ceasefire agreement that officially took effect on October 10.

Hazam Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, condemned the event as a horrific massacre. He labeled the strike part of Israel's continued escalation of its war against civilians. This attack was one of several reported across the enclave on Saturday, collectively killing at least nine people.

Earlier in the day, a separate strike in Khan Younis hit another tent, killing a man who was scheduled to be married later that same day. Local medical sources confirmed the tragedy, stating the entire family had prepared to celebrate the wedding.

We are now attending his funeral instead," a cousin told AFP regarding the latest victim.

Israel's military forces identified the deceased as a "cell commander" within Hamas's armed wing, yet provided no supporting proof to substantiate this claim.

Separately, Gaza's Civil Defence reported that another Israeli strike in the south-east of Gaza City claimed the life of a 37-year-old man on Saturday evening.

"We are witnessing an escalation in attacks compared to the initial period of the ceasefire," stated Mahmoud.

These violent incidents unfold as Hamas gathers in Cairo with mediators and other Palestinian groups to discuss the enclave's future while the fragile truce faces severe strain.

Compounding the crisis, more than half of Gaza remains under Israeli military control, directly contradicting the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

The first stage of the deal successfully facilitated the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.

However, the transition to the second phase—which was intended to include the disarmament of Hamas and a step-by-step withdrawal of Israeli troops—has been stalled for months.

Qassem, speaking on behalf of Hamas, indicated that this weekend's Cairo meetings would prioritize the full execution of the first phase, including halting alleged Israeli violations, reopening border crossings, and permitting humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Discussions are also set to address the second phase, covering proposals for the deployment of international forces and the disarmament of Palestinian factions.

In his statement following the deadly assault on Gaza City on Saturday, Qassem charged Israel with actively working to undermine and dismantle the agreement.