An Israeli air strike in northern Gaza killed at least five Palestinians, including three children, Gaza’s civil defence and local health officials said. The victims were taken to Al-Shifa hospital. Gaza’s Government Media Office accuses Israel of 2,400 alleged ceasefire violations, while Save the Children and UN Women report catastrophic civilian losses and high numbers of child, female and overall casualties. Humanitarian access and supplies to Gaza remain restricted amid acute displacement and need.
Israeli Air Strike Kills Five in Northern Gaza, Including Three Children — Aid Groups Warn of Continued Civilian Toll
Tens of thousands of children have been killed by Israeli forces in its genocidal war on Gaza [File: Mohamed Saber/EPA]
An Israeli air strike struck a group of civilians in northern Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least five Palestinians, including three children, Gaza’s civil defence agency and local health officials said.
"Five Palestinians, including three children, were killed in an Israeli air strike that targeted a group of civilians near Al-Qassam mosque in Beit Lahia," local health officials said in a statement late on Wednesday. "Their bodies were taken to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City," the statement added. Al-Shifa hospital confirmed it had received the bodies.
Context and Reported Casualties
Gaza’s Government Media Office said Israel has committed 2,400 violations of the October ceasefire agreement with Hamas, listing alleged breaches that include targeted strikes, arrests, blockades and actions it described as amounting to forced starvation of Gaza’s residents.
A September report by Save the Children estimated that more than 20,000 children were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over two years of the conflict. The charity said, on average, at least one child was killed every hour during that period, with more than 1,000 of the deceased under one year old and many more suffering injuries, trauma or separation from family.
By November 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described Gaza as a "graveyard for children."
UN Women reported last week that an average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza — more than 38,000 deaths in total between October 2023 and December 2025, including over 22,000 women and 16,000 girls. "Women and girls accounted for a proportion of deaths far higher than those observed in previous conflicts in Gaza," Sofia Calltorp, head of humanitarian action at UN Women, said. "Those killed were mothers, they were daughters, sisters, and friends — deeply loved by those around them. This suffering continues, despite the ceasefire."
Since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, Gaza’s health ministry says at least 786 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. At least 32 of those deaths occurred this month alone, including Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah, who was killed in a drone strike west of Gaza City on April 8.
Humanitarian Situation
Israel has also been accused of restricting the agreed volumes of food, medicine, medical supplies and shelter materials from entering Gaza. Around 2.4 million people live in the territory, including roughly 1.5 million who are internally displaced and widely reported to be living in dire humanitarian conditions.
The reports and figures cited in this article are drawn from statements by Gaza authorities, local health officials, the United Nations, and international charities. Where figures are contested, they are presented as reported by the respective organisations.
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