Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, among them two 13-year-old boys, three journalists, and a woman. This incident marks one of the deadliest days in the region since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was established on October 10, 2023. Hospitals in Gaza reported the casualties, highlighting the ongoing violence that continues despite international efforts to stabilize the situation.
The fatalities included three Palestinian journalists who were targeted while filming near a displacement camp in central Gaza. Mohammed Mansour, a spokesperson for the committee managing the camp, confirmed that the journalists were documenting the committee’s work when they were struck. Israel’s military claimed it had identified individuals operating a drone that posed a danger to its troops as justification for the strikes.
The tragic deaths of the two boys occurred in separate incidents. One was reported to have been killed alongside his father and another man by Israeli drones on the eastern side of the Bureij refugee camp. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital officials confirmed the arrival of their bodies. In another incident, a 13-year-old boy was shot by troops in the eastern town of Bani Suheila. His mother, Safaa al-Sharafy, expressed her grief, noting that her son had left home to gather firewood, saying, “He went out in the morning, hungry. He told me he’d go quickly and come back.”
The loss of life extended beyond children. A Palestinian woman was also reported killed by Israeli troops in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis. In addition, three brothers died due to tank shelling in the Bureij camp, according to medical sources. Since the ceasefire began, more than 470 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, with the Gaza health ministry documenting at least 77 deaths attributed to gunfire near the ceasefire line.
The ongoing conflict has severely impacted journalists reporting from Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists noted that over 200 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the conflict escalated in 2023. Among the deceased is Abdul Raouf Shaat, a journalist recognized for his contributions to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The agency has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, emphasizing the need for accountability in the face of such violence.
Despite the challenges, international journalists have been largely barred from entering Gaza, relying on local journalists and residents to report on the situation. This restriction has raised concerns about the transparency of information coming from the region. The Israeli military has stated that it continues to investigate previous incidents, including airstrikes on hospitals that resulted in the deaths of journalists.
In a related development, Israeli air force strikes also targeted locations in southern Lebanon, claiming to hit sites used by the militant group Hezbollah. The military reported that four border crossings in Lebanon’s Hermel region were struck, with earlier attacks in southern villages targeting weapons storage facilities. These actions prompted condemnation from Lebanese officials, who described them as “systematic aggression.” Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 19 individuals, including journalists, were injured in these strikes.
As the situation remains volatile, the United States continues to engage in diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing the ceasefire agreement and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
