An Israeli airstrike 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, which occurred near a bakery in Deir al-Balah, claimed the lives of Tayyem Hamdan, aged 3, and Hussam Nusair, along with causing injuries to several others.
According to Gaza medics, the Israeli military stated that the attack targeted and eliminated a Hamas militant, Nusair, who was allegedly involved in hostile actions against Israeli forces and civilians. Hamas has yet to respond to these allegations.
Despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire last October that brought a temporary halt to major conflicts in the region, the Israeli military has continued its strikes, citing the need to prevent attacks by Hamas and other Gaza-based militant groups. Hamas has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire terms and obstructing the implementation of a broader peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which includes Israeli withdrawals and the disarmament of Hamas.
Since the ceasefire came into effect in October, over 1,300 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza, as per health officials in the region. In contrast, the Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of four Israeli soldiers during the same period.