Israeli strikes kill civilians across Gaza amid disputed disarmament plan

At least eight people were killed in overnight Israeli air strikes that hit residential areas in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, Gaza’s Civil Defence Authority reported; the Israel Defense Forces said it targeted militants and announced it had killed Hamas operatives.

Palestinian health officials said two people, including a child, died after a strike on a residential building in Gaza City, another person was killed near Jabalia, a family of three — a father, mother and their nine-year-old son — were killed in Khan Younis, and two residents died when an apartment block in Deir el-Balah was struck.

The IDF said it had killed two Hamas commanders, one from the elite Nukbha force and one from the Maghazi Battalion, and separately reported the killing last week of a Hamas militant from the Jabalia Battalion. The IDF described its operations as targeting military operatives in Gaza.

Officials say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire took effect last October; satellite imagery previously shown to BBC Verify indicated Israel had destroyed over 1,500 buildings in areas it controlled since the ceasefire, with UN estimates putting debris at about 60 million tonnes generated since October 2023.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The strikes reflect continuing operations the IDF describes as aimed at military operatives while Palestinian authorities report multiple civilian casualties across Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah; reported fatalities include children and whole-family losses, and official statements cite specific militant units targeted by the IDF.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• At least eight people killed in overnight strikes across Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah.
• IDF said it targeted militants and reported killing Hamas commanders from Nukbha and Maghazi units.
• Palestinian health officials reported civilian deaths including a child and a family of three; more than 1,100 Palestinians have died since last October’s ceasefire.