Israeli forces carried out strikes in Gaza on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 Palestinians, including 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 began on October 10, 2023. The escalating violence has prompted concerns from international observers and the United States, which is actively working to advance the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Among the deceased were three Palestinian journalists killed while documenting conditions near a displacement camp in central Gaza. Mohammed Mansour, a spokesperson for the Egyptian government committee managing the camp, confirmed that the journalists were struck while filming approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Israeli-controlled territory. Mansour indicated that the vehicle carrying the journalists was known to the Israeli military as belonging to the committee. The journalists were documenting the committee’s humanitarian efforts when the attack occurred.
The fatalities included a 13-year-old boy, Moatsem al-Sharafy, who was killed in a separate incident. His father and another man were also injured when Israeli drones targeted the eastern side of the Bureij refugee camp. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital officials reported the incident, though it remains unclear whether the victims had crossed into Israeli-controlled areas. The boy’s mother, Safaa al-Sharafy, expressed her grief, recounting how her son had left home to gather firewood for their family meal.
Abdul Raouf Shaat, one of the journalists killed, was a regular contributor to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The news agency described him as a beloved colleague and called for a thorough investigation into his death. The Committee to Protect Journalists highlighted that over 200 Palestinian journalists and media workers have died in Gaza since the onset of the conflict in 2023.
In addition to the journalists, Nasser Hospital reported receiving the body of a Palestinian woman who was shot by Israeli troops in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis. In another incident, three brothers lost their lives due to tank shelling in the Bureij camp, further contributing to the rising death toll. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 470 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began, with at least 77 fatalities occurring near the ceasefire line that divides Israeli-held areas from the majority of Gaza’s Palestinian population.
The initial phase of the ceasefire aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces. While most hostages have been returned, one remains unaccounted for. Relatives of Ran Gvili, a police officer killed during the conflict, have urged the Israeli government and U.S. officials to assist in locating his remains, stating their uncertainty regarding his whereabouts.
In a parallel development, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple sites in southern Lebanon, reportedly linked to the militant group Hezbollah. The military stated that it struck locations believed to be used for storing weapons, with strikes confirmed in the northeastern region of Hermel and various villages in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 19 individuals, including journalists, were injured in the strikes. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks, describing them as “systematic aggression.”
These recent events underscore the ongoing volatility in the region and the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, international efforts to mediate peace face significant challenges amid rising casualties and destruction.
