Health officials in Gaza reported that two Palestinians died Sunday when an Israeli airstrike targeted their vehicle in Gaza City, marking the most fatal incident in the territory since Israel and the United States began military operations against Iran a week prior.
According to medical personnel, the victims were driving near Al-Azhar University in the western section of Gaza City when the strike occurred. Officials have not yet released the names of those killed. Health authorities also confirmed that several other individuals in the vicinity sustained injuries from the attack.
While such military actions have become less frequent following the commencement of the joint U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iran, Israeli forces have been responsible for multiple Palestinian deaths throughout the past week.
Israeli military officials have not yet provided a statement regarding Sunday’s airstrike when contacted for comment.
Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that was negotiated through U.S. mediation and began last October, violent incidents have persisted almost daily. Each party continues to accuse the other of breaking the terms of the truce.
Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israeli forces have killed no fewer than 640 Palestinians since October began. Israeli officials state that four of their soldiers have died in Gaza during the same timeframe due to militant attacks.
The Gaza Strip has suffered extensive destruction during more than two years of Israeli military operations that have resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, while leaving large portions of the territory in ruins.
The current conflict began following Hamas’ assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which the militant group killed 1,200 individuals and captured more than 250 hostages, based on Israeli government figures.
