Strikes Across Gaza Leave Palestinians Dead
Several Palestinians have been killed in separate Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, with one of the victims identified as Basir al-Bursh, the eldest son of Munir al-Bursh, director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Health officials and medics said at least three people were killed in Saturday’s strikes. A fourth person later died from injuries suffered in an earlier attack, according to local medical sources.
Health Chief’s Son Killed Near Jabalia
Basir al-Bursh was killed in a strike near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to medics and family members.
The Israeli military said it had targeted several militants during the day and included Basir among those it said were targeted, but did not provide further details about the operation. Hamas did not immediately comment on the Israeli statement.
Video released by Reuters showed Munir al-Bursh carrying his son's body as mourners took him to hospital. The health official had previously lost a daughter in an Israeli airstrike in December 2023 and was also injured in that attack.
Other Strikes Hit Gaza City and Shujayea
Elsewhere, an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan area. Palestinian medical and civil defence sources said one person was killed and others were wounded.
Another strike in the Shujayea neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, also killed a person, according to Palestinian emergency services. Reuters reported that the Israeli military said the Sheikh Radwan strike targeted a Hamas fighter.
Violence Continues Despite Ceasefire
The latest deaths come despite a US-brokered ceasefire that took effect last year. Palestinian health officials say more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, while the Israeli military has reported the deaths of four Israeli soldiers during the same period.
The continuing strikes have added to concerns over the future of the ceasefire and efforts to end the conflict. Negotiations over issues including Hamas disarmament and an Israeli troop withdrawal have made limited progress.
Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The latest attacks are taking place in an area where large numbers of Palestinians remain displaced and many communities are still dealing with destroyed homes and damaged infrastructure.
The deaths of civilians and continued strikes have kept Gaza's humanitarian situation at the centre of international attention, while efforts to move from the ceasefire toward longer-term reconstruction and a lasting political settlement remain unresolved.
