An Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, killed at least nine people, including charity workers, and injured several others, the enclave’s Government Media Office said Saturday. The strike is the deadliest since the ceasefire took effect in January.
The Israel Defense Forces stated they had targeted “terrorists” operating in the area and attempting to retrieve a drone. Gaza’s health ministry confirmed the deaths and reported that multiple critically injured individuals were transported to Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital.
Among the dead were three members of a media team documenting humanitarian relief efforts, according to the Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it “a horrific massacre” and alleging that those killed were engaged in humanitarian work at shelters and displacement centers.
“The targeting of unarmed civilians, especially those providing humanitarian aid, constitutes a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law,” said Ismail Thawabta, Director General of Hamas’ Government Media Office.
Eyewitness Mahmoud Louay Atiya described the aftermath, stating he had to extinguish fires caused by the strike using bottles of water. “I helped two people—one was already dead, and the other was injured but still alive. I managed to remove multiple bodies. There were no ambulances or fire trucks,” he said.
Another witness reported the death of his 17-year-old son, who was not affiliated with Hamas or any militant group. “He was working in one of the camps, and they told me he had been killed. I don’t know exactly how it happened,” he said.
The IDF confirmed striking two individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to its troops. “Later, additional terrorists collected the drone equipment and entered a vehicle. The IDF struck the terrorists,” the military said.
Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued since the ceasefire, citing responses to militant threats or Hamas violations. However, casualties have declined since the truce began.
The attack comes as the United States pushes a new proposal to extend the ceasefire, which includes securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for an extension of the truce. The proposal also calls for lifting Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been in effect for nearly two weeks.
Hamas confirmed Friday that it had responded to the ceasefire extension proposal and approved the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the remains of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.
