DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — At least five Palestinians, including a 9-year-old child, lost their lives Sunday due to Israeli military fire in Gaza, with several others wounded, according to local health officials.
A drone strike targeted a blacksmith shop in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, claiming the lives of at least four people and injuring one more, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the victims were transported.
The Israeli military confirmed it carried out a strike in that area, stating it had hit what it described as “terrorist infrastructure,” though it offered no further details.
Following the initial strikes, Palestinian residents received evacuation orders from the military. Approximately one hour later, a second round of heavy airstrikes hit the same blacksmith shop location.
In a separate incident that same day, 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar was killed by Israeli gunfire at a displacement camp in central Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Israeli military stated it had no knowledge of that incident.
While Israeli strikes have dropped off significantly since a ceasefire went into effect on October 10, they have continued on a near-daily basis. Israel’s military maintains that its strikes target Hamas and other armed groups, frequently claiming those individuals were planning attacks. However, many civilians have also died as a result.
Since the ceasefire began, at least 1,098 Palestinians have been killed — including at least 260 children — according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Five Israeli soldiers have also died during that same period.
The conflict traces back to the October 7, 2023 attack carried out by Hamas-led militants, which killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 individuals being taken hostage. Israel’s military response has since killed 73,221 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government but is staffed by medical professionals. United Nations agencies and independent experts generally consider its records to be reliable. The ministry does not separate civilian from militant deaths, but notes that women and children account for roughly half of all fatalities.
Talks between Israel and Hamas over moving into the second phase of the ceasefire remain largely at an impasse. Key sticking points include the disarmament of Hamas and plans for rebuilding Gaza. More than 2 million residents remain displaced, with large numbers living in overcrowded tent camps that lack basic services or sheltering in the ruins of destroyed buildings.
