Palestinian medical authorities reported Monday that an Israeli helicopter attack on a displacement camp in southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of two civilians, including a young child, while injuring 17 others.
Health officials identified the victims as six-year-old Mennatallah Abu Libda and 31-year-old Hanan Mahmoud, who were killed when the strike hit tents housing displaced families in the Mawasi section of Khan Younis in Gaza’s southern region.
According to witnesses at the scene, the assault involved two military helicopters.
Israeli military officials had not provided a response regarding the incident at the time of this report.
The deadly strike occurred despite a ceasefire agreement negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump in October, which has not succeeded in stopping Israeli military operations in Gaza. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled over implementing the agreement’s second phase, which would require the militant organization to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw.
Under the current truce terms, Israel maintains authority over more than half of Gaza’s territory, while Hamas retains control of a narrow coastal strip.
Gaza health authorities report that approximately 900 Palestinians have died in Israeli military actions since the ceasefire took effect, though these numbers do not separate militant fighters from non-combatants.
Israeli military sources indicate that four of their soldiers have been killed by militants during this same timeframe.
Hamas has not released casualty figures for its fighters. Israeli officials state that their continued strikes after the ceasefire are designed to prevent attacks and stop individuals from approaching the armistice boundary with Hamas.
