Palestinian Officials Report Civilian Deaths in Northern Gaza Attack
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza’s northern Beit Lahia area killed a family of four, including two children, Palestinian hospital and security sources said.
Officials at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the bodies of the Ahmad family were recovered after a strike hit a residential building in the Beit Lahia Project area.
The hospital official identified the children as being 12 and eight years old.
The attack was among several strikes reported across the Gaza Strip, increasing concerns over continued violence despite an existing ceasefire arrangement.
Israel Says Strike Targeted Military Operative
The Israeli military said the strike targeted Muamen Abd al-Rahman Ahmad, whom it described as a “military operative”.
In a statement, the Israeli army claimed Ahmad had taken part in combat activities against Israeli forces and had violated the ceasefire agreement.
However, Palestinian officials said the strike resulted in civilian casualties, including children.
A Gaza security source said Israeli aircraft also carried out strikes in the Jabalia refugee camp and targeted areas near displaced people’s tents and ambulances.
The source accused Israel of continuing violations in the Gaza Strip.
Death Toll Rises as Fighting Continues
Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that five more people were killed in separate Israeli strikes in southern Gaza on the same day.
Three of those deaths were caused by a drone strike near Khan Yunis, according to the agency.
The latest casualties brought the reported death toll from Israeli strikes during the day to nine.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in October last year, but tensions have continued with further military operations in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said military action against Hamas will continue until the group gives up its weapons and Israeli forces can secure their objectives.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 1,300 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire announcement.
The ministry operates under Hamas authorities, but its casualty figures are generally considered reliable by the United Nations.
The Israeli military has reported five soldier deaths and one civilian contractor death during the same period.
