By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Three Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, according to medical officials, marking one of the most serious incidents in the territory since the United States and Israel began their military campaign against Iran a week ago.
The strike occurred near Al-Azhar University in western Gaza City, an area where many displaced residents have been sheltering in makeshift tent camps after months of destruction across the enclave.
Medical personnel at Al-Shifa Hospital confirmed that the victims included a paramedic, Mohammad Hamduna, along with two other men identified as Mohammad Abu Shedeq and Ahmed Lafi.
Doctors and emergency responders said the attack hit close to a densely populated area where families had been living in temporary shelters. Several additional people were reportedly wounded in the blast and taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Mohamed Abu Selmia, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital, said the victims were brought to the hospital shortly after the strike but were pronounced dead due to the severity of their injuries.
Witnesses at the scene described panic among civilians as the explosion occurred near the crowded encampments.
The Israeli military later confirmed carrying out the strike, stating that it had targeted two individuals it alleged were members of Hamas and were preparing an attack against Israeli soldiers. However, the military did not provide evidence to support the claim. When asked by Reuters to provide additional details linking the victims to militant activity, Israeli officials declined further comment.
No Palestinian militant organization has publicly identified the three men as members of any armed group.
Although Israel and Hamas agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza last October, violence in the territory has continued almost daily, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the truce. The latest strike highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the continued instability in the region.
Health officials in Gaza say that at least 640 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire came into effect. Israel, meanwhile, reports that four of its soldiers have been killed by Palestinian militants during the same period.
The Gaza Strip has suffered extensive devastation following more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. According to local health authorities, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 72,000 Palestinians and left large parts of the densely populated territory in ruins. Much of Gaza’s infrastructure—including homes, hospitals, schools, and water systems—has been severely damaged or destroyed.
The broader conflict traces its origins to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas and rescuing the hostages.
The latest escalation in Gaza comes at a time when tensions across the Middle East are rising sharply due to the expanding confrontation between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
While the focus of military operations has shifted toward Iran in recent days, incidents in Gaza continue to underscore the unresolved nature of the conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing civilians in the territory.
Source Reuters
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