An Israeli drone strike hit a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza on Monday, killing at least three people, including an eight-year-old boy and his grandfather, according to local health officials.
The strike targeted a neighbourhood in Deir al-Balah, one of the least damaged towns in central Gaza. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital identified the victims as Hassan al-Hanagra, his eight-year-old grandson Malik Abu Shawish, and another man. Hospital officials said Malik, whose parents are divorced, had been visiting his mother's tent when the strike occurred. His mother was among seven people injured.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a militant but did not immediately identify the person or confirm whether the intended target was killed.
On Sunday, another Israeli strike in southern Gaza killed Zaher Abu Salem, whom the Israeli military described as an Islamic Jihad member involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Four people, including 13-year-old Eileen al-Farra, were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza that day.
Although a ceasefire has been in place since October, Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes. Gaza health officials say 1,045 Palestinians, including more than 360 women and children, have been killed since the truce began. Israel says it is targeting militants planning attacks on troops controlling more than 60 percent of Gaza. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in militant attacks during the ceasefire.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 73,058 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, while the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 15-year-old boy from Jerusalem was shot dead during an Israeli raid near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Amir Jaber suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head despite resuscitation efforts. Two others were injured by Israeli fire during a separate raid near Hebron.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment. The Ramallah operation was among at least six raids across the occupied West Bank reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA on Monday.