Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a makeshift shelter in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians, including an 8-year-old boy and his grandfather, according to medical sources.
The incident occurred in Deir al-Balah, a relatively undamaged town in central Gaza, where a drone strike targeted a residential area. The casualties were identified as Hassan al-Hanagra, his 8-year-old grandson Malik Abu Shawish, and another man. Abu Shawish, who was visiting his mother at the time of the attack, was injured, along with seven others, including his mother.
The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at a militant target but did not provide immediate details on the individual’s identity or fate.
Separately, a strike in southern Gaza on the previous day claimed the life of Zaher Abu Salem, who was reportedly linked to an attack on Israel in 2023 that led to the conflict. Additionally, four individuals, including a 13-year-old girl named Eileen al-Farra, lost their lives in various strikes around Gaza on Sunday.
Despite a ceasefire in place since October, Israel has continued its military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians, including numerous women and children. The Israeli military justifies these actions by claiming to target militants who allegedly pose threats to their forces stationed in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas leadership, maintains detailed records of casualties, which are considered reliable by international organizations. However, there is no specific breakdown provided for civilian and militant casualties.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing Israeli campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians, including those killed post-ceasefire. The conflict initiated by Hamas in October 7 led to significant casualties and hostage situations.
In a related development, Israeli forces conducted raids in various locations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Notably, a 15-year-old from Jerusalem was reported dead due to a gunshot wound, while two others were injured in a separate incident near Hebron.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported multiple raids throughout the West Bank, including near Ramallah, the administrative capital. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted that at least 59 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank this year.
The Israeli military has not issued an immediate response to these incidents.
