On Monday, Palestinian residents in Gaza experienced attacks as Israeli strikes and tank fire resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, including two children. This follows a U.S. delegation’s recent request for reduced hostilities. The attacks occurred after Israeli military issued evacuation warnings, with one strike targeting a building in the Bureij refugee camp. A 4-year-old child died, and his mother and sister suffered injuries, as reported by Awda Hospital.
Israeli forces targeted additional locations after warning residents. Strikes impacted three other buildings, causing panic and evacuation efforts among residents, including those with mobility challenges. The Israeli military claimed actions in the Shati refugee camp and Deir al-Balah aimed at Hamas weapon storage facilities inside mosques. Despite these claims, no evidence was shared.
An earlier attack in Deir al-Balah targeted a tent, resulting in the death of a man identified as a member of Hamas’ special forces unit. Other affected areas included Khan Younis, where strikes led to a man’s death and multiple injuries. Additionally, a 10-year-old girl died due to tank fire east of Khan Younis. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on this incident.
Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israel continues targeted strikes following a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner. Since the meeting, Israel has conducted daily attacks except for one day.
In previous weeks, prior to an October 2023 attack by Hamas, Israel was impacted by incendiary kites from Gaza. Although recent kite incidents near a kibbutz showed no attached weapons, Israel threatened further action unless Hamas ensured an end to such activities. Criticisms from Hamas describe the kites as children’s toys and accuse Israel of using them to justify aggression.
In total, Israeli retaliatory offensives post-October attacks have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, exceeding 73,000 deaths, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. The health ministry’s records, regarded as reliable by international observers, do not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties.