Health officials in the Gaza Strip reported that Israeli military actions on Monday resulted in the deaths of two young children and at least two other Palestinians. The casualties occurred in several locations across the enclave, including the southern city of Khan Younis, the Bureij refugee camp and the central town of Deir Al‑Balah.
Details of the incidents
According to medics and relatives, 10‑year‑old Amal Abu Khater was struck by a bullet to the back while eating inside her family’s tent in Khan Younis. Witnesses said the fire came from Israeli forces positioned to the east of the tent. The Israeli military said it was not aware of any incident involving a 10‑year‑old girl.
In a separate strike, a four‑year‑old boy and another Palestinian were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a house in the Bureij refugee camp. A further airstrike on a road in Khan Younis also resulted in civilian deaths, according to medics on the ground.
Earlier on Monday, an Israeli strike on a tent in Deir Al‑Balah killed one person and wounded another. The Israeli military stated that the Deir Al‑Balah strike targeted a Hamas militant, but it did not comment on the other two attacks in Khan Younis and Bureij.
Broader context
Since the cease‑fire that began in October, Gaza health officials say more than 1,280 Palestinians have been killed. The Israeli military reports that four Israeli soldiers have died in the same period.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the cease‑fire and undermining a broader peace plan promoted by former President Donald Trump, which includes Israeli withdrawals and Hamas disarmament. Israel maintains that its strikes are intended to prevent imminent attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents of Beach refugee camp and Deir Al‑Balah before carrying out airstrikes in those areas, though residents and medics said no casualties were reported from those specific evacuations.
Infrastructure impacts
In addition to the civilian casualties, Israeli forces bombed a desalination plant in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City at a time when the enclave is experiencing severe water shortages, according to local residents and Hamas officials. An Israeli spokesperson said the strike targeted Hamas weapons storage sites, some of which were located inside mosques, and that a site adjacent to the desalination facility was among those hit. The spokesperson did not confirm whether the desalination plant itself was damaged.
International reaction
The latest deaths have drawn renewed calls from humanitarian groups for protection of civilians and for both sides to adhere to international law. The United Nations has urged restraint and the protection of non‑combatants, while the United States has reiterated its support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist threats.
As the conflict continues, families in Gaza face the loss of children and the destruction of essential services, underscoring the humanitarian toll of the ongoing hostilities.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
