An Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed a family of four, including two children, on Thursday, according to Palestinian hospital and security sources. The Israeli military said the strike targeted a person it described as a military operative.
The attack struck a house in the Beit Lahia Project area, an official at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said. The official said the bodies of four members of the Ahmad family were recovered from the site. The children were identified as being 12 and eight years old.
The Israeli military gave a different account of the incident. It said the strike killed Muamen Abd al-Rahman Ahmad, whom it identified as a military operative. The army accused him of taking part in combat against Israeli forces in violation of the ceasefire.
More Strikes Reported Across Gaza
Meanwhile, a security source in Gaza said Israeli aircraft carried out strikes after midnight in Beit Lahia. The source also reported a separate strike in the centre of the Jabalia refugee camp.
The same source accused Israeli forces of firing toward tents housing displaced people and ambulances. These claims could not be independently verified.
Elsewhere, five more people were reportedly killed in three Israeli strikes in southern Gaza on Thursday. Gaza’s civil defence agency told AFP that the additional deaths brought the reported toll for the day to nine.
Three of those victims were reportedly killed in a drone strike near Khan Yunis, according to the civil defence agency.
Ceasefire Remains Under Strain
The latest violence comes despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States. Israel agreed to the ceasefire in October last year. Since then, Israeli forces have nevertheless advanced further into parts of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will continue targeting Hamas. He has also ruled out a complete withdrawal from Gaza unless Hamas agrees to give up its weapons.
Hamas led the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the wider conflict. Since then, Israeli military operations have caused extensive destruction and a large number of casualties across Gaza.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 1,300 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was announced. The ministry operates under Hamas authorities. The United Nations has generally regarded its casualty figures as reliable.
The Israeli army has reported a different toll on its side. It said five members of its forces have died during the same period. One civilian contractor has also reportedly been killed.
