An Israeli airstrike targeted a tent used by displaced families in the Gaza Strip, leading to the tragic deaths of two young children, aged 7 and 9, as well as their parents, Palestinian officials reported on Monday.
A 10-year-old child was also injured in the overnight attack that took place in the southern town of Khan Younis, according to the Civil Defense, which acts as the emergency response team within the territory governed by Hamas.
An eyewitness, a reporter for a news agency, reported that the bodies were taken to the Nasser Hospital nearby. It was noted that the devastating impact of the explosion resulted in severe injuries to the two children, compelling officials to place their remains in a single body bag due to the nature of their injuries.
The Israeli military has attributed the responsibility for civilian casualties to Hamas, accusing them of operating from within civilian populations and utilizing residential areas for military operations. They typically do not comment specifically on individual strikes, particularly those that result in the deaths of women and children.
The ongoing conflict escalated dramatically after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mainly among civilians, along with the abduction of around 250 individuals. It is reported that around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that a third of them may have already died.
On the other hand, Israel’s counteroffensive has reportedly led to over 43,800 Palestinian deaths, according to figures from local health authorities. These statistics do not distinguish between militants and civilians, with assertions that a significant portion of those killed are women and children. Meanwhile, the conflict has also caused the deaths of 76 people in Israel, including 31 military personnel.
This recent airstrike adds to the grievous toll of the ongoing conflict, raising further concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in the region as the fighting persists.