An Israeli airstrike struck a tent housing displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, leaving at least three people dead, among them a young child. Israel said the strike was aimed at a militant sheltering in the tent.
Gaza health officials said the attack hit a residential area in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza that has seen relatively less destruction than other parts of the territory. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported that those killed were two adult men and an 8-year-old child, with a fourth person — another man — suffering injuries.
The Israeli military named the intended target as Zaher Abu Salem, describing him as an active member of Islamic Jihad who played a role in the October 7, 2023 militant attack on Israel — the assault that set off the current war.
Although the most intense combat has died down since a ceasefire went into effect in October, Israeli forces have continued to carry out airstrikes across Gaza. Health officials in the territory say those strikes have claimed the lives of 1,045 Palestinians. Israel has publicly announced multiple strike operations targeting militants, including three separate strikes over the past weekend.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, keeps detailed records of casualties. United Nations agencies and independent analysts generally consider those records to be credible, though the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. Militants have also carried out shooting attacks against Israeli troops, and Israel says its ongoing strikes are a direct response to those and other violations of the ceasefire terms. Five Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire began.
The October 7 attack killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 individuals being taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza. Since that campaign began, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 73,058 Palestinians have been killed, a figure that includes those who have died since the ceasefire took effect.
