In brief
In the early hours of Thursday, Israeli forces fired on at least four residential buildings in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan, Tel al-Hawa, and Shati neighborhoods. Eleven Palestinians, many civilians, were reported dead and dozens wounded. The strikes also hit a house believed to house Hamas commander Hassan Labad, killing him, his wife and three children. Despite a United Nations‑backed ceasefire from last October, Israel continues air operations, citing rearmament by Hamas. The Gaza health ministry says over 940 deaths since the ceasefire, and the conflict escalates with reports of expanded Israeli control.
2 hours ago • By Wyre Davies, Jerusalem & Rushdi Abualouf, Gaza correspondent, Istanbul
At least 11 Palestinians were killed, including women and children, and dozens more injured in Israeli air strikes across Gaza City, according to medical sources and eyewitnesses.
The jet‑pounded at least four residential buildings – in the Sheikh Radwan and Tel al‑Hawa neighbourhoods and Shati refugee camp – causing powerful explosions and panic among residents.
Social‑media videos show a building engulfed in fire, with people fleeing the blaze in Shati camp.
No comment has yet come from the Israeli military.
Witnesses reported that three Israeli helicopters hovered briefly over Gaza City's coastline before launching synchronized strikes.
Among those targeted was Hassan Labad, a Hamas commander in northern Gaza. He was killed along with his wife and three of their children. The Hamas‑run Civil Defence agency confirmed that the dead also included two children with disabilities, three women, and the Labad family members.
Israel has carried out repeated air strikes in Gaza even after a UN‑brokered ceasefire last October, citing the re‑arming and rebuilding of Hamas forces.
The Gaza health ministry reports that more than 940 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while the war has seen a total of 72,950 casualties. The humanitarian crisis worsens as Israel plans to increase the area of land under its control to 70%.
The Gaza war began after a Hamas‑led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
