GAZA CITY — Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed several Palestinians, including at least one child, on Saturday, according to Palestinian health officials and medics, as violence continued despite an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The reported strikes hit areas including Gaza City, with officials saying the casualties included civilians.
Palestinian health officials said an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood killed four people, including two women and a child, and wounded others. In separate incidents, medics reported additional deaths in Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya and the Bureij refugee camp. The reported casualty figures were provided by Palestinian officials and could not be independently verified.
The Israeli military did not immediately provide a detailed public statement on all of the reported incidents. Israel has previously said its operations in Gaza are directed at Hamas and other militant groups and that its forces act to protect Israeli security interests.
The latest strikes occurred during a fragile ceasefire arrangement that was intended to reduce fighting between Israel and Hamas. Palestinian officials have reported continued Israeli attacks in Gaza since the truce took effect, while Israel has said some military actions were carried out in response to perceived threats or violations of the agreement.
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in Gaza City also killed two children, according to Palestinian health officials cited by The Associated Press. Rescue workers continued searching the site, and details of the number of wounded remained unclear.
The conflict escalated after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in large numbers of Palestinian casualties, with Gaza health authorities reporting tens of thousands of deaths since the start of the conflict. The health ministry in Gaza does not distinguish in its overall casualty figures between civilians and combatants.
International mediators have continued efforts to maintain the ceasefire and advance negotiations between the two sides. Officials involved in the talks have not announced a final agreement on the next phase of the arrangement, and details of future steps remain unclear.
As of Sunday, Palestinian officials said rescue and medical teams were continuing to respond to the latest strikes. Israeli and Palestinian officials had not announced further changes to the ceasefire arrangement.
