Israeli Strike on Gaza Funeral Kills 7 and Wounds 22, Hospital Says/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. mansour/ An Israeli strike on a funeral in central Gaza killed at least seven people and wounded 22, according to Awda Hospital. Israel said it targeted a Palestinian Islamic Jihad cell and acknowledged that civilians may have been harmed. Other Israeli attacks killed five people Friday as strikes increased despite an October ceasefire intended to end the two-year war.
Quick Look
- An Israeli strike hit a funeral in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
- Awda Hospital reported at least seven deaths and 22 injuries.
- Israel said the target was a “terrorist cell” belonging to Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- The Israeli military acknowledged that civilians may have been harmed.
- The funeral was being held for a Palestinian killed in an earlier Israeli strike Friday.
- That earlier attack killed two people, according to local officials.
- Israel said it targeted a Hamas militant in the first strike.
- Three other people, including two women, were killed elsewhere in Gaza.
- Hamas called the funeral strike “a heinous crime.”
- At least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the October ceasefire took effect.
- Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s offensive has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians since the war began.
Deep Look
Israeli Strike Hits Funeral in Central Gaza
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike on a funeral in the central Gaza Strip killed at least seven people and wounded 22 others Friday, according to a local hospital.
Additional Israeli attacks across the territory killed five more people, bringing the reported death toll from Friday’s strikes to at least 12.
Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp confirmed the casualties from the funeral attack.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a “terrorist cell” associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. It acknowledged that civilians may have been harmed.
Funeral Held for Victim of Earlier Strike
That initial attack killed two people. The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hamas militant but did not provide further details about the person’s identity or role.
The subsequent strike hit mourners attending the funeral for one of those killed.
Hamas condemned the attack, describing the funeral strike as “a heinous crime.”
Other Attacks Kill Three Across Gaza
Israeli fire killed three additional people Friday in separate attacks across northern and southern Gaza, according to local health officials.
The attacks occurred despite an October ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas intended to halt a war that had continued for two years.
Although the most intense fighting has declined since the agreement took effect, deadly attacks have continued throughout the Gaza Strip.
More Than 1,100 Killed Since Ceasefire
At least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
The ministry operates under the Hamas-led government and maintains detailed casualty records. United Nations agencies and independent experts generally consider its figures reliable.
The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its public death toll. It says women and children account for most of those killed.
Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
Israel Says Strikes Respond to Violations
Palestinian militants have carried out shooting attacks against Israeli troops during the ceasefire period.
Israel says its military actions are responses to those attacks and other alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military maintains that its operations target Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other armed groups. Civilians have also been killed in the strikes.
Israeli Attacks Increase in Recent Weeks
Israel has intensified its Gaza operations in recent weeks, striking people in vehicles, tents, buildings and public streets.
Data from the independent monitoring organization Armed Conflict Location and Event Data showed that Israel conducted 40 attacks targeting militants in June.
That represented the highest monthly total since the ceasefire began.
The increase has raised concerns about the durability of the agreement and the continuing risk to civilians across the coastal territory.
Gaza War Death Toll Surpasses 73,000
The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Approximately 1,200 people were killed in the attack, and 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel launched a large-scale military offensive in Gaza in response.
The offensive has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed after the ceasefire took effect, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
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