An Israeli airstrike and tank shelling resulted in the deaths of six Palestinians, including two young girls, in Gaza City on Sunday. These incidents mark the deadliest occurrences in the region since the onset of military operations by Israel and the United States against Iran a week ago, according to health officials.
The first strike occurred near Al-Azhar University in western Gaza City, where three men were killed. Among the deceased was a paramedic, Mohammad Hamduna, alongside two others identified as Mohammad Abu Shedeq and Ahmed Lafi. The attack took place close to crowded tent camps where displaced Gazans have sought shelter, leading to several injuries.
Mohamed Abu Selmia, the head of Al Shifa Hospital, reported that the airstrike wounded multiple individuals, underscoring the perilous conditions in the area. Although attacks had decreased following the initiation of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, Israeli forces have still killed several Palestinians in recent days.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Israeli military claimed that the airstrike targeted two Hamas members who were allegedly preparing to attack Israeli soldiers. However, no evidence supporting this assertion was provided, and no militant group has claimed the deceased men as affiliates. When approached by Reuters for further details, the Israeli military declined to comment.
In a separate incident shortly after midnight, Israeli tank shelling in the central Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including the two girls. Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat camp reported that the shelling wounded at least ten others, many of whom were children. The tank shells struck a tent encampment housing displaced families in the western area of Nuseirat.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly over the past two years due to ongoing conflict. According to local health authorities, over 72,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the Israeli offensive, leaving much of the territory, which is home to over two million people, in ruins.
The violence has persisted despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that commenced in October 2023. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms of the truce. The Gaza health ministry reports that at least 640 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began. In contrast, Israel states that four of its soldiers have lost their lives to militant actions in Gaza during the same timeframe.
The ongoing hostilities were ignited by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, where militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. The cycle of violence continues to have devastating consequences for civilians caught in the conflict.
