An Israeli airstrike conducted in the central Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians, including a three-year-old child, as reported by health officials on Sunday. The strike, near a bakery in Deir al-Balah, claimed the lives of Tayyem Hamdan, aged 3, and Hussam Nusair, alongside injuring multiple individuals.
The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted and eliminated a Hamas militant, identifying Nusair as responsible for launching attacks against Israeli military personnel and civilians. Hamas has refrained from providing an immediate response to the military’s accusation.
Despite a ceasefire backed by the U.S. last October that brought a temporary halt to major conflicts in the region, Israeli military actions have persisted, with the aim of preventing attacks by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. Hamas has criticized Israel for breaching the ceasefire terms and hindering the implementation of a wider peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which involves Israeli withdrawals and disarmament of Hamas.
Since the ceasefire agreement took effect in October, over 1,300 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, according to health officials in the region. In contrast, the Israeli military has reported the deaths of four Israeli soldiers during the same period.