Fatal Israeli Strikes in Gaza
At least eight Palestinians, including three children, have been killed in two separate Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to medics and first responders.
Five individuals died when an Israeli drone targeted a group near a mosque in the northern town of Beit Lahia on Wednesday evening.
Local journalists identified the deceased as Abdullah al-Abed, 9, Salah al-Abed, 12, Mohammed Balousha, 14, Alaa Balousha, 46, and Anas Abu Foul, 19.
In a statement, the Israeli military said it had targeted what it described as "a terrorist" who had approached troops near the Yellow Line, which marks territory held by Israeli forces, and posed an immediate threat.
A Hamas spokesman condemned the incident, referring to it as "the horrific massacre" and accused Israel of undermining efforts to implement their ceasefire agreement.
Families Mourn the Loss of Children
On Thursday morning, families of the three boys mourned as their shrouded bodies were lined up outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
"I woke up to the sound of heavy shelling and rushed out. I looked around but couldn't find my children beside me," said Amna al-Abed, mother of Abdullah and Salah. "I rushed outside and found them lying on the ground, martyred. My husband was there with them, wounded."
A relative of Mohammed Balousha stated,
"There is no ceasefire, no truce, nothing at all... There is no safety in any area."
Additional Fatalities in Central Gaza
Later on Thursday, three more men were killed when Israeli shellfire struck a car in the central Maghazi area, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence.
The agency reported that one of its first responders, Hazem al-Aidi, was among those killed in the strike.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating the reports related to this incident.
Ceasefire Status and Casualty Figures
A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since last October, though it remains fragile.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 792 Palestinians have been killed and 2,200 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began.
Conversely, the Israeli military reports that four of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian armed groups during the same period.
Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Background of the Conflict
The ongoing Gaza war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which more than 72,560 people have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry.
