At least seven Palestinians lost their lives in separate Israeli military operations across Gaza on Tuesday, including a father and his teenage son who were sheltering from the ongoing violence, according to local medical sources.
Fadi Rajab and his 13-year-old son Abubakr were killed when an Israeli airstrike struck the rooftop of a displacement shelter in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood. The pair had sought refuge in the facility, which houses families forced from their homes by the prolonged conflict.
Another Palestinian was killed in a separate airstrike targeting a school in the Daraj neighbourhood of Gaza City. Israeli military officials claimed their forces struck militant positions in both locations but provided no additional details about the operations or the identities of those targeted.
In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area, Israeli gunfire claimed the life of one man, medics reported. Later in the day, three more Palestinians were killed when an airstrike hit a metal foundry in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood, bringing Tuesday’s death toll to seven. Israeli authorities have not issued statements regarding these latter incidents.
The violence continues despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, which included provisions for Gaza’s eventual reconstruction. However, negotiations have stalled over critical issues including Hamas disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, which currently control approximately two-thirds of Gaza’s territory. Residents in these areas remain under evacuation orders with no clear timeline for return.
Israeli officials maintain that Hamas is attempting to rebuild its military capabilities and restock weapons. Hamas leadership counters that it remains committed to the ceasefire terms and accuses Israel of deliberately sabotaging the agreement.
Since the ceasefire was announced, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations within Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. Israel reports four soldiers killed during the same period.
The broader toll from the conflict remains staggering. Palestinian health authorities estimate more than 74,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led fighters that killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel.
The continuing casualties and lack of progress on reconstruction have raised serious questions about the viability of the ceasefire and the prospects for lasting peace in the region.
