6 children among 11 killed in Israeli airstrikes as Gaza bombardment escalates

At least 11 Palestinians, including six children, were killed on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes targeting northern and central Gaza.

According to medical officials, an Israeli strike on a home in Gaza City’s Al-Tuffah neighborhood killed six children and three others, while two more Palestinians were killed in a separate airstrike in central Gaza.

Israel’s aerial campaign on Gaza resumed Tuesday, breaking a fragile cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal. In just a few days, over 700 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,000 injured.

Details

• Targeted strikes: Israeli warplanes hit a residential building in Al-Tuffah, killing six children and three others. Another strike in Al-Maghraqa, central Gaza, killed two more.
• Rafah under fire: An Israeli airstrike hit western Rafah in southern Gaza, though casualties remain unconfirmed.
• Casualty toll: More than 700 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday’s renewed offensive, adding to the staggering death toll from Israel’s months-long war on Gaza.
• Legal pressure: The International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice’s proceedings against Israel continue, adding to international scrutiny amid the ongoing escalation.

Background

The latest attacks come as Israel intensifies its military offensive in Gaza, despite growing international pressure and legal scrutiny. Since October 2023, nearly 50,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed, with over 113,000 injured.

The escalation follows the collapse of a cease-fire agreement that had been in place since January, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes. Separately, Israel faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice.