Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip and operations in the West Bank killed at least eight people on Monday, according to health officials and emergency services. The casualties included children in Gaza and a 15-year-old in the West Bank, as ongoing military activity persists across the Palestinian territories.
Where are the latest casualties occurring in Gaza?
The heaviest recent strikes occurred in the southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip. In Khan Younis, a strike on a tent in the Al-Mawasi neighborhood killed a 23-year-old mother and her one-year-old daughter, according to Nasser Hospital. Another strike in the town of Qarara, northwest of Khan Younis, killed a 31-year-old man.
Additionally, a strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people along the Khan Younis coast, resulting in two fatalities and 13 injuries, as reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent. In central Gaza, a drone strike in Deir al-Balah killed at least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, Malik Abu Shawish, and his grandfather, Hassan al-Hanagra, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
The Gaza Health Ministry’s records are considered generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though the ministry does not provide a specific breakdown of how many casualties are combatants versus civilians.
How is the military justifying these operations?
The Israeli military maintains that its operations are focused on targeting militants who plan attacks against its troops. Regarding the Deir al-Balah drone strike, the military stated it was targeting a militant, though it did not immediately confirm if that individual was killed or provide a name.
Data from Gaza health officials shows that since the ceasefire in October, 1,045 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 360 women and children. During this same period, five Israeli soldiers have been killed in militant attacks. Israeli forces currently hold more than 60% of the Gaza Strip.
What is happening in the West Bank?
Tensions remain high in the occupied West Bank, where a 15-year-old from Jerusalem, identified as Amir Jaber, was killed by a gunshot to the head near Ramallah. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the death, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed they attempted to resuscitate him at the scene.
The incident occurred during an Israeli raid in the al-Bireh area. According to WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, at least half a dozen such raids took place across the territory on Monday. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that at least 59 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank this year.
Comparison of Casualty Reporting
| Region | Recent Focus | Primary Reporting Body |
|---|---|---|
| Gaza Strip | Airstrikes and drone attacks | Gaza Health Ministry |
| West Bank | Raids and ground operations | Palestinian Health Ministry |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people have been killed in the total conflict?
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 73,058 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict. The Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel resulted in some 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. - Are independent organizations verifying these numbers?
Yes, U.N. agencies and independent experts generally view the casualty records maintained by the Gaza Health Ministry as reliable. - What is the current status of the fighting?
While the heaviest fighting has subsided since the October ceasefire, Israeli forces continue to conduct near-daily strikes across the Gaza Strip.
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