In a brief, yet devastating sequence, Israeli forces fired rockets that hit homes in western Gaza City, cutting down the lives of two young children and a woman, medics report.
Some local accounts suggest that an Israel‑backed Palestinian militia first carried out a raid in the area, prompting the Israeli military to shell the neighborhood and launch air strikes. A separate incident in central Gaza also claimed another child’s life.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced that a senior Hamas official had been arrested, but it’s unclear if this is tied to the Gaza City incident.
Videos from the block show chaotic scenes: the crackles of gunfire, the rush of drones, and the aftermath of blast marks on buildings.
Early reports claim a special Israeli unit used a van and motorcycles to infiltrate a crowded area, but it’s still uncertain whether these were Israeli forces or part of the militia. Local sources hint that a Hamas security official might have been targeted.
The Israeli military reports that it struck several targets in Gaza to eliminate “threats to security forces,” and says none of its troops were injured. However, the broader security implications remain hotly debated as casualties mount.
