Daijiworld Media Network – Gaza City

Gaza City, Apr 23: Five Palestinians, including three children, were killed in an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics and first responders said, amid continued tensions despite a fragile ceasefire.

Palestinian officials said a drone strike targeted a group of people near a mosque in Beit Lahia on Wednesday evening.

Local journalists identified the victims as Abdullah al-Abed, 9, Salah al-Abed, 12, Mohammad Balousha, 14, Alaa Balousha, 46, and Anas Abu Foul, 19.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had targeted what it described as “a terrorist” who approached troops near the Yellow Line — an area marking territory held by Israeli forces — and posed an immediate threat.

Hamas condemned the strike, with a spokesperson describing it as a “horrific massacre”.

The incident comes despite a ceasefire in place in Gaza since October, though both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 786 Palestinians have been killed and around 2,200 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect.

The Israeli military has said four of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian armed groups during the same period.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.

Israel subsequently launched a military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, where more than 72,560 people have been killed so far, according to the territory’s health ministry.